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

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. A PRISON

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. COLONIZATION

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, As the white population grew, native Aboriginal population decreased.Aboriginal population decreased

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. TRADE

POWER! 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

Ethnocentrism in Australia Turn to page 514 in ORANGE textbook Read “Conflict in Australia” Record 3 facts about the treatment of the indigenous people of Australia by the British Turn to page 159 in the CRCT workbook Read “The Colonization of Australia by the United Kingdom” Record the 4 reasons for British colonization of Australia

Henry Guttman/Hulton Archives/Getty Images English settlers surrounded by a group of Aborigines. This is believed to be the earliest photograph taken in Australia.Getty Images What do you see? Record 3 observations (facts) What can you infer from your observations? Record one statement (opinion)