Imperialism In Ireland, Canada, New Zealand & Australia -The domination, industrialization, rebellion and liberation of four British colonies.

The colonization of New Zealand and Australia: New Zealand and Australia were discovered in the years of 1769 and 1770 respectively, both by the famed British captain, James Cook.

The indigenous peoples of New Zealand-known as the Maori- had been living there for nearly a millennia. The British eventually established a friendly and consistent relationship with the Maori after Cook’s encounter. This, however did not last, as the British were quick to push their religion on the Maori and take their land away from them

In 1839, the British settlers in New Zealand motioned an appropriation of the islands in their entirety in the form of a treaty, which was signed a year later. After negotiations, the Maori seemingly bowed their heads, They accepted British rule in exchange for recognition of their land rights. This however, did not last.

The Maori did not accept these acts gracefully, they fought with British over control of their land between 1845 and 1872, eventually being subdued by the foreign disease and advanced weaponry of the British. After some conflict in the early 1850’s, New Zealand eventually became self-governing and created parliamentary forms of government. In 1893, New Zealand became the first country to give voting rights to women-although only to white women. In the early 1900’s, New Zealand became an official dominion of the British Crown.

Australia: Upon finding Australia, Cook declared it to be uninhabited. The Aboriginals, however, whom are one of the longest surviving cultures in the world, were living there. Britain began colonizing Australia in 1788, using it as a penal colony for convicted criminals to remedy to severe over population of prisons on Britain. After serving their sentence and being freed, prisoners could return home, or buy land and settle there in Australia

The promise of vacant, spacious land attracted many British settlers who claimed land right along side the former felons and convicts. These new settlers began experimenting with breeding different verities and breeds of sheep, eventually resulting in an advanced species which produced an extremely high quality wool, proving to be a lucrative export. The low prices of land coupled with the gold rush in 1851 resulted in a substantial increase of population far more rapid than that of New Zealand.

The Colonists of Australia wanted self rule and succeeded in creating its own government at relatively the same time as New Zealand. In 1901, the Australian colonies were united under a federal constitution as the Commonwealth of Australia.

Interesting Facts Involving Australia and New Zealand: A gold rush began in Australia in the early 1850s, and the Eureka Stockade rebellion against mining license fees in 1854 was an early expression of civil disobedience. Upon discovering and mapping the east Australian coast, Cook named it New South Whales. The first Europeans known to have reached New Zealand were led by Abel Janszoon Tasman, who sailed up the west coasts of the South and North Islands in 1642. The first human habitation of Australia is estimated to have occurred between 42,000 and 48,000 years ago.

Canada: Canada was originally populated by native American Indians. The first attempt at European colonization was by France in the 1600’s and 1700’s which was fairly peaceful. Fur Trappers and Missionaries who coexisted, even intermarried with the natives. After the French & Indian war, Britain took control of Canada in 1763. Over time, the British and Many more English speaking colonists populated Canada, both sparsely and densely populated in areas such as the Atlantic seaboard.

It was not long before conflict stirred between the remaining French and the newly settled English-speaking colonists. In this instance, the dispute was stirred over differing religions. Both groups pressed Britain for a greater voice in governing their own affairs. Britain tried to remedy this problem through separation and equal division of the territory into two halves. Upper Canada for the English and Lower Canada for the French. Each province elected its own official assembly.

The separation had seemingly worked, and each individual group appeared content amongst themselves. However, in the early 1800’s, both colonies began demanding political and economic reforms. The French flat out refused to remain under British rule which only fueled the demands. Rebellions began to break out in both Lower and Upper Canada during the late 1830’s which incurred investigations from Britain. They sent a statesman-Lord Durham-to inspect.

In 1839, after a short while in the colonies, Durham send back a report to parliament, urging them reunite Upper and Lower Canada as the Province of Canada. In doing so, Britain could slowly integrate the French into the stronger English culture. It was widely believed at this point that Canada badly needed central government to better protect its interests and extensive territory. In 1867, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick joined the Province of Canada for the Dominion of Canada, effectively making Canada self-governing in domestic affairs while still remaining part of the British Empire.

Canada began purchasing land and expanding westward under order of John MacDonald-Canada’s first prime minister. They persuaded frontier territories to join the union and aid their cause By 1871, they had stretched all the way to the Pacific Ocean. MacDonald began construction on a transcontinental railroad in 1885.

Ireland:

English Expansion into Ireland: 1100’s Pope granted control of Ireland to English King England In the 1500’s and 1600’s limited rights of Catholics and favored the Protestants and the English language. Catholics wanted to be emancipated, so they passed an act in 1829 to do this.

Ireland soon grew hungry for independence as they simultaneously wanted home rule. The British didn’t grant either suggestions. In conclusion, most Protestants lived in northern Ireland – Ulster.

Soon Irish nationalists rebelled in Dublin in 1916. Nationalists formed an underground organization and declared themselves independent. The IRA (Irish Republican Army) attacked British officials. Britain divided in 1921 into north and south.

1788: British began colonizing Australia. 1769 &1770: James Cook Claimed New Zealand and Australia as British territory, respectively. 1867: Nova Scotia and New Brunswick joined the Province of Canada to form the Dominion of Canada. 1839: MacDonald recommends the union of the two Canadas. 1920 1720 1839: The Maori sign a treaty accepting British rule. 1791: British Parliament tries to resolve dispute by creating Upper and Lower Canada 1885: Construction on the first transcontinental railroad is complete. 1763: Britain takes control of Canadian territory after beating France in the French & Indian War.