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Period: to
Oceania 1750-1900
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James Cook claims Australia for England
Englishman Lieutenant James Cook charted the Australian east coast in his ship HM Barque Endeavour . Cook claimed the east coast under instruction from King George III of England on 22 August 1770 at Possession Island, naming eastern Australia 'New South Wales'. This would lead to later settlement of Oceania. -
The first governer of NSW is named
Arthur Phillip was appointed captain of HMS Sirius, the flagship of the First Fleet of convicts to Australia. He was also named Governor of New South Wales, the proposed British colony on the east coast of Australia. He lead efforts to settle Australia. -
Founding of the first European colony
The first permanent settlement of Europeans in Australia was 736 convicts with 188 being women. They were sent from British prisons to live in a "criminal class" away from the general public. Transportation was a common punishment at this time. At first, convicts were orginially sent to America but after the US gained independence in 1776, they were sent to Australia. This lead to future European settlements in Oceania. -
The wool industry begins
John Macarthur, a British army officer, bought Spanish merino sheep from South Africa to Oceania. At the time the use of sheep's wool was not highly regarded, and instead the sheep was primarily used for its meat. Macarthur realised the potential of quality wool production. The wool was suitable for spinning and weaving clothing and greatly benefitted the economy of Oceania. -
Seal trade becomes popular
Seal trade became very popular at this time. Many Europeans came to Oceania solely for the purpose of slaughtering seals for trade. This lead to increases in the economy and popularity of Australia. So much, in fact, that by the 1820's, overhunting had nearly exterminated the seal population. -
Whale hunting increases
In the 1820's special ships hunted sperm whales near New Zealand. They were hunted for their oils and bones. The bones were often used for womens' corsets. The oil was used for lubrication, soup, and lamps. This increased the worlds' economy and interest in New Zealand. -
New Zealand declares independence
The Declaration of Independence by united tribes of New Zealand was signed by 34 Maori chiefs. This marked their growing disconent with British rule. It would later result in a rebellion and quest for official independence from Britain. -
New Zealand Rebellion
Maori rebel against the British. They rebelled because they were unhappy with the British takeover. They were lead by Hone Heke, a Maori leader. This shows the indigenous peoples discontent with the British rule. -
Gold is discovered in Oceania
The discovery of gold in 1851 brought many European and Chinese settlers to Australia. This put an end to Penal colonies. It also increased the economy of Europe and interaction with Australia. Oceania was flooded with Europeans searching for riches "down under". -
John Stuart crosses Australia
Stuart led the first successful expedition to cross the Australian mainland from south to north and return, and the first to do so by starting in South Australia. The explorations of Stuart eventually lead to the developments of the Australian Overland Telegraph Line. This increaed communication and trade for Australia. -
European population increase
Over one million people had immigrated to Australia by this time. Settler population doubled within the next 15 years. This increased cultural diffusion in Oceania. -
New Zealand reserves positions in legislature for Maori
Four seats in the lower house of New Zealand legislature were reserved for Maori people. Although a law that was later passed prevented them from voting. This was important because it was an attempt to involve the native population in government. -
New Zealand gives voting rights to indigenous people
New Zealand becomes the first nation in the world to allow native peoples voting rights. This was important because they were becoming a nation based on equality. They were taking strong revolutionary actions that other nations had not yet taken. -
Population becomes a white majority
By this time, the number of white settlers in Australia outweighed the native population. This increased the amount of Westernization in Oceania and greatly decreased the rights of the natives. The indegenious population became victims of racism and political oppression. -
British forces leave New Zealand
The remaining British imperial forces left New Zealand at this time. The loss of control in New Zealand did not stop the British control of Australia, however. This lead to greater independence in New Zealand and marked a new beginning. -
Overland Telegraph Line developed
The Australian Overland Telegraph Line was a 3200 km telegraph line that connected Darwin with Port Augusta in South Australia. It allowed for faster and more efficient communication between Australia and the rest of the world. This greatly increased Australia's involvement in world trade and communication. -
The last full blooded Tasmanian aboriginal dies
The last full blooded Tasmanian aboriginal, Truganini, died in 1876. This made this particular population of indiginous people extinct. This is important because it shows just how great the effects of European takeover were. -
Reefton gains electricity
A city in New Zealand, Reefton, gains electrical power. This shows the growing industrialization influence from the West. It also shows that Oceania is becoming a more developed society. -
Native population decreases dramatically
Only 93,000 Australian natives and 42,000 Maori survived to this time. The native population decreased by nearly 80% in less than 150 years. This graph shows the dramatic change in Maori population over time. -
Women are given voting rights
New Zealand granted women the right to vote in parliamentary elections. They were the first in the world to do this. Prior to this, women who owned property and paid rates (usually widows or 'spinsters') were allowed to vote in local government elections since 1867. Oceania was ahead of its time in terms of womens' rights. -
Segregation of indeginous people
Australian law segregated the remaining Aborigins (indeginous peoples) onto reservations. Here they lacked the rights of an Australian citizen. Law now required voters to be able to read and write English. This increased European power in Australia
