Early Early Settlement of Settlement of

AustraliaAustralia

Why choose Australia?Why choose Australia? Place to dump convicts or secure a Place to dump convicts or secure a

supply base for the British Navy in supply base for the British Navy in Asia-Pacific?Asia-Pacific?

The British government had the largest The British government had the largest Navy and empire in the world, and Navy and empire in the world, and were scared other European powers were scared other European powers might challenge their claimsmight challenge their claims

World Map – European EmpireWorld Map – European Empire

Good excuseGood excuse1.1. Australia provided a safe harbour as well Australia provided a safe harbour as well

as wood and flax for fixing sails and shipsas wood and flax for fixing sails and ships2.2. Transporting convicts to American Transporting convicts to American

colonies and then Australia provided colonies and then Australia provided England with cheap labourEngland with cheap labour

3.3. Convicts could work for their freedom and Convicts could work for their freedom and help England consolidate their claim on help England consolidate their claim on the valuable Australiathe valuable Australia

So Australia seemed a place to kill three So Australia seemed a place to kill three birds with one stone… very handy!birds with one stone… very handy!

The First FleetThe First Fleet

The first fleet of ships arrived in The first fleet of ships arrived in Sydney in 1788, with 11 ships Sydney in 1788, with 11 ships carrying 212 marines, officials and carrying 212 marines, officials and their families, 579 male convicts and their families, 579 male convicts and 192 female convicts.192 female convicts.

They found Australian conditions hard, They found Australian conditions hard, with the weather, the bush and soil with the weather, the bush and soil not helping to establish a settlementnot helping to establish a settlement

Sydney 1789Sydney 1789

HMS SiriusHMS Sirius

The official version of the British arrival in Australia

Governor = Leader of the colonyGovernor = Leader of the colony Arthur Phillip was the first governor of NSW Arthur Phillip was the first governor of NSW

for 4 years. He was appointed to run a for 4 years. He was appointed to run a prison not a settlement. He had to:prison not a settlement. He had to:

Maintain law and orderMaintain law and order Grant land for cultivationGrant land for cultivation Maintain good relations with the aboriginesMaintain good relations with the aborigines Erect forts for protectionErect forts for protection Control Commerce and spendingControl Commerce and spending Make all decisions for the colonyMake all decisions for the colony Explore the coast for further settlementExplore the coast for further settlement

Early Problems of NSWEarly Problems of NSW

Governor Phillip faced many problemsGovernor Phillip faced many problems Lack of women to control menLack of women to control men Lack of skilled workers (builders and Lack of skilled workers (builders and

farmers)farmers) Growing enough food to stop scurvyGrowing enough food to stop scurvy Housing – had to be built from scratchHousing – had to be built from scratch Transport – took months to sail anywhere!Transport – took months to sail anywhere! Aborigines resented invasion of their landAborigines resented invasion of their land

Questions to do NOW (or will have Questions to do NOW (or will have to be finished for homework)to be finished for homework)

1.1. Who appointed Phillip as Governor, Who appointed Phillip as Governor, and what were his responsibilities?and what were his responsibilities?

2.2. What was the main advantage of What was the main advantage of having one person in charge of the having one person in charge of the settlement?settlement?

3.3. What problems did Phillip face in What problems did Phillip face in the early months of settlement? the early months of settlement? Explain each problem in depth.Explain each problem in depth.