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History of Australia
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Dutch Sail to Australia
The first Europeans to sail to Australia were the Dutch. They did not settle there, though. They landed and were attacked by aborigines, so they abandoned further exploration. -
James Cook's Voyage
Captain James Cook sailed around Australia, naming the area New South Wales. He ignored the aborigines and claimed the land for England. -
The "First Fleet" Departs
A group of ships called the "First Fleet" left England to establish a prison colony in Australia. -
Creating Colony Boundaries
The government officials created boundaries for the 7 independent colonies that are still in place today. -
Prison Colony Usage Stops
The British transported many prisoners to Australia until free immigrants started to settle there. -
Australian Government
The Commonwealth of Australia was established at this date. -
Capitals
Melbourne was the national capital of Australia, but Canberra was completed and it became the national capital. -
Helping Aborigines
The federal government has begun to pass a legislation to help the aborigines, because many people in Australia think the government should take direct action in improving the living conditions of aborigines. -
Australia Act
When passed, this act made it so that Australia was not legally bounded to the British anymore. It is now a parliamentary democracy. -
Voting in Australia
Australia's citizens voted to become an independent republic, but 55% of the voters rejected the idea.
