THE COLONIZATION OF AUSTRALIA A Collaborative Presentation by 6th grade Social Studies

A PRISON Australia was founded as a prison colony after the American Revolution. Most of the convicts were guilty of petty, not major, crimes. There were 3,068 prisoners sent to what is now present day Sydney, Australia.

COLONIZATION The colonization of Australia enabled people to begin a new life. People from Britain could escape poverty and gain new wealth in Australia. The Irish came to Australia to escape hunger, misery, and overpopulation. Much of this emigration occurred toward the end of the 1800s. Eventually, around 15,000 were moving to Australia each year.

As the white population grew, native Aboriginal population decreased. GOLD RUSH! The discovery of gold in southern Australia prompted even more people to migrate there in the hope of becoming wealthy. Most who became wealthy were store keepers who supplied the miners with clothes, tools, etc. As the white population grew, native Aboriginal population decreased.

TRADE Trading became very big business! Australia experienced rapid economic growth due to gold and trade in wool. The rapid expansion brought on debates between the settlers and their British rulers. There were arguments over taxes and land ownership.

Britain gained in power by having control over Australia. The addition of Australia to the empire meant that Britain would be regarded by the world as a powerful and dominant nation. Being seen as powerful would deter any possible revolts by the colonists. It was also a sign that Britain had the strength to crush its opposition.

STRATEGIC IMPORTANCE The continent provided a base for the navy in the southern Pacific and Indian Ocean regions. Naval bases in Australia meant Britain was versatile in the deployment of ships to certain locations in the world.

BRITISH EMPIRE CIRCA 1921