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Originally posted by deity
Just off the top of my head Australia Day traditionally marks the anniversary of 26 January, 1788 when Captain Arthur Phillip and the First Fleet raised the flag on Australia's first European settlement at Sydney Cove.
After the United States of America won the Revolutionary War in 1783, it was no longer possible for Britain to send unwanted criminals there. As the crime rate increased in England, jails and prison hulks moored in British harbours became overcrowded. Captain Cook had discovered the east coast of Australia in 1770 and not long after this voyage, the possibility of using Australia as a penal colony was considered.
It is believed that this need for a place to "dump" convicts, was not the only reason for colonising Australia. Botany Bay was also seen as a port of call and supply base for British ships traveling the Indian and Pacific Oceans, and trading with China. Although shorter alternative routes were possible, by the mid 1780's, the British Government was concerned that these routes might be cut if the Dutch went to war with Great Britain.
At the same time, Britain was heavily dependent on Baltic countries fro timber that could be used for masts and shipbuilding and flax used for the manufacture of canvas, sailcloth and rope. As possible alliances between French, Dutch and Russians could block the supply of these material, Britain was anxious to find alternative sources. Captain Cook and Sir Joseph Banks recommended that Australia, New Zealand and nearby islands could be potential sources of timber and flax.
On May, 13 1787, eleven ships set out from Portsmouth, England on an eight month voyage to Australia, carrying approximately 1 350 men, women and children.
Just off the top of my head Australia Day traditionally marks the anniversary of 26 January, 1788 when Captain Arthur Phillip and the First Fleet raised the flag on Australia's first European settlement at Sydney Cove.
After the United States of America won the Revolutionary War in 1783, it was no longer possible for Britain to send unwanted criminals there. As the crime rate increased in England, jails and prison hulks moored in British harbours became overcrowded. Captain Cook had discovered the east coast of Australia in 1770 and not long after this voyage, the possibility of using Australia as a penal colony was considered.
It is believed that this need for a place to "dump" convicts, was not the only reason for colonising Australia. Botany Bay was also seen as a port of call and supply base for British ships traveling the Indian and Pacific Oceans, and trading with China. Although shorter alternative routes were possible, by the mid 1780's, the British Government was concerned that these routes might be cut if the Dutch went to war with Great Britain.
At the same time, Britain was heavily dependent on Baltic countries fro timber that could be used for masts and shipbuilding and flax used for the manufacture of canvas, sailcloth and rope. As possible alliances between French, Dutch and Russians could block the supply of these material, Britain was anxious to find alternative sources. Captain Cook and Sir Joseph Banks recommended that Australia, New Zealand and nearby islands could be potential sources of timber and flax.
On May, 13 1787, eleven ships set out from Portsmouth, England on an eight month voyage to Australia, carrying approximately 1 350 men, women and children.
When you went to school (assuming you've finished) did your Australian history consist of European Australian History or Aboriginal Australian history or both. I'm asking because I had to do a full year of Aus History year before last and it was all aboriginal history, nothing about europeans arriving or any of that crap.
FYI: Everyone not 'in the know' about Australian history, it's really really boring. We didn't have any interesting wars like in Europe or even a civil war like America. All we got is: Aboriginals lived here and did the same thing with no technological advancement for 50,000 years. Then the 'White Man' arrives and kills a few natives then build stuff. Also a bunch of people died gold mining related deaths (Eureka Stockade I believe).
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