Leslie Massey
The British government established colonies in Australia from 1788 until 1901. The first colonies were set up as penal colonies, where convicts were sent to live and work. The British government's motives for establishing colonies in Australia have been debated by historians. The traditional view is that the colonies were established to relieve pressure on British prisons, especially as the American colonies were no longer an option for transporting convicts. However, some historians argue that the British government had strategic and economic motives for establishing colonies in Australia.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of colonisation | 1788 |
| First settlement | Sydney |
| Colony proclaimed by | Governor Phillip |
| Colony included | Australia eastward of the meridian of 135° East, more than half of mainland Australia, islands in the Pacific between Cape York and Tasmania |
| Convicts | Majority of the population between 1788 and 1792 |
| Free settlers | Small number of people who chose to start a new life in the colony |
| Free settlers received | Free land, farming tools and convict labour |
| Convict labour used for | Building colonies, farming land, government work |
| Economy | Farming, fishing, whaling, trade, construction |
| Military | British troops, colonial military forces |
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What You'll Learn
To relieve pressure on British prisons
The British government's decision to establish colonies in Australia was influenced by various factors, one of which was the need to relieve pressure on overcrowded prisons in Britain. This rationale is supported by historical records indicating that convicts were part of the initial settlements from the outset, and official statements listed this as one of the primary purposes of establishing the colony.
The loss of its American colonies, which had previously accepted transported felons, further intensified the strain on British prisons. As a result, the British government sought an alternative location to exile convicts, and Australia was chosen as the new site for penal colonies.
The first fleet, which sailed in 1787, included about 730 convicts (570 men and 160 women) and over 250 free persons, primarily marines. These convicts, who were provided with clothing by the British government upon their arrival in Australia, became instrumental in building the colonies. Those with special skills, such as leatherwork, blacksmithing, or carpentry, were tasked with constructing the settlements, while female convicts were often sent to "convict female factories" for hard labour.
The early years of the penal colonies in Australia were challenging. The convicts endured hard labour and poor food, which took a toll on their health. Additionally, the free population, which included emancipated convicts, locally born children, former soldiers, and free settlers, faced difficulties due to their lack of understanding of the environment, climate, and local flora and fauna.
As the colonies evolved, they gradually expanded and developed an economy based on farming, fishing, whaling, trade, and construction using convict labour. By the 1790s, the British government's objective of establishing a harbour for resupplying vessels had been achieved. The colonies also served as a source of raw materials for Britain.
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To exploit the commercial potential of the region
The British government's interest in exploiting the commercial potential of the Australian region dates back to the mid-18th century. Several writings from this period highlight the potential commercial value of the southern seas and terra australis incognita, with hopes for a mighty empire of commerce in the eastern seas. This interest was not unique to Britain, but it was particularly strong there, with the British government backing several voyages of exploration.
Captain James Cook's three voyages on behalf of the British Admiralty were pivotal in this regard. The first voyage, which began in 1768, culminated in the sighting of southeastern Australia in 1770. Cook made several landings, notably at Botany Bay and Possession Island, where he claimed the land as New South Wales. This claim was later formalised by the British government, which asserted sovereignty over all of Australia eastward of the meridian of 135° East, including more than half of mainland Australia and adjacent islands.
The establishment of colonies in Australia was seen as a way to exploit the region's commercial potential. James Matra, an American Loyalist who accompanied Cook, produced a plan for colonising New South Wales in 1783. Matra argued that the country was suitable for plantations of valuable commodities such as sugar, cotton, and tobacco. He also suggested that New Zealand timber and hemp or flax could be valuable resources and that the colony could serve as a base for Pacific trade.
The British government's decision to use convict labour in the Australian colonies further supported the goal of commercial exploitation. Convicts with special skills, such as leatherwork, blacksmithing, and carpentry, were tasked with building the colonies and developing the region's economy. The government also intended for former convicts to subsist on their own small plots, contributing to the overall economic development of the colony.
Over time, the commercial activities in the Australian colonies expanded beyond subsistence agriculture. Farming, fishing, whaling, trade with incoming ships, and construction using convict labour became significant components of the colonial economy. Boat building, sealing, and whaling also emerged as important industries, particularly in coastal settlements. The development of these industries allowed for the exploitation of marine resources and facilitated trade and travel within the region.
In summary, the British government's interest in exploiting the commercial potential of the Australian region was a driving factor behind the establishment of colonies in Australia. The initial plans for colonisation emphasised the potential for valuable commodities and trade, and the use of convict labour provided the necessary workforce to develop the region's economy. Over time, the colonies became economically self-sufficient and contributed to the broader commercial ambitions of the British Empire in the eastern seas.
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To establish a military base in the eastern seas
Establishing a military base in the eastern seas was one of the reasons the British government set up colonies in Australia. The British government's interest in the eastern seas was sparked by the writings of the mid-18th century, which highlighted the possible commercial value of the southern and eastern seas and terra australis incognita. The British government backed several voyages, including the three voyages of Captain James Cook on behalf of the British Admiralty.
The establishment of the first British colony in Australia, New South Wales, in 1788, was a result of these voyages and the government's desire to create a military base in the region. The colony was formally proclaimed by Governor Phillip on February 7, 1788, in Sydney, which offered a freshwater supply and a safe harbour. The territory of New South Wales claimed by Britain included more than half of mainland Australia and all the islands in the Pacific between Cape York and the southern tip of Van Diemen's Land (Tasmania).
The early years of the colony were challenging, with convicts and their jailers comprising the majority of the population. The convicts were tasked with building the colonies, and the free settlers who followed them had to deal with the harsh environment and the anger of the local people due to the destruction of their traditional lands. The British government's initial plans for the colony were limited, focusing on creating a self-sufficient penal colony based on subsistence agriculture, with trade, shipping, and shipbuilding banned. However, by the 1790s, the colony had achieved the imperial objective of providing a harbour for British vessels in the eastern seas.
The colony in Australia became a base for British military operations in the region, including the Anglo-Maori Wars of the 1840s and 1860s and the New Zealand Wars in the mid-19th century. The British troops based in Australia participated in suppressing native independence and protecting European settlers' expansion onto Maori land. The colony also served as a source of military personnel, with trained citizen soldiers from Australia participating in the Boer War in 1899. Thus, the establishment of a military base in the eastern seas was a significant factor in the British government's decision to set up colonies in Australia.
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To provide a harbour for British ships
The British government's decision to set up colonies in Australia was influenced by various factors, including the need for a harbour for British ships in the region.
The establishment of colonies in Australia provided the British with a strategic location to harbour their ships and resupply them. Sydney Cove, in particular, offered a safe and secure harbour, described by Governor Phillip as "the finest Harbour in the World". This harbour could accommodate a large number of ships and played a crucial role in supporting British naval operations in the eastern seas.
The availability of a harbour facilitated trade and allowed the British to develop various industries, such as whaling, sealing, and fishing. It also enabled the import of consumer goods and the export of raw materials and agricultural produce. The development of boat-building capabilities further enhanced the British presence in the region, making travel and resource exploitation easier.
The presence of a harbour also contributed to the expansion of the colonies themselves. With a secure anchorage, more settlers could be transported to the region, and the establishment of new settlements became feasible. This, in turn, led to further economic development and the exploitation of natural resources, including the grazing of cattle and sheep, which, unfortunately, resulted in increasing conflict with the Aboriginal people over their traditional lands.
While the provision of a harbour for British ships was a significant factor, it is important to recognise that other factors also influenced the establishment of British colonies in Australia. These included the need to relieve prison pressure in Britain, particularly after the loss of American colonies as a destination for transported convicts, and the economic and strategic potential of the region.
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To create a settlement for American Loyalists
The British government's decision to set up colonies in Australia was influenced by various factors, one of which was the idea of creating a settlement for American Loyalists.
The American Loyalist James Matra, who had previously travelled with Lieutenant James Cook, proposed establishing a settlement in New South Wales as a haven for Loyalists who had lost their property due to their loyalty to Britain during the US War of Independence. Matra, guided by Sir Joseph Banks, produced "A Proposal for Establishing a Settlement in New South Wales" on August 24, 1783. This proposal outlined a colony composed of American Loyalists, Chinese, and South Sea Islanders, excluding convicts. Matra's plan was influenced by his own experience, as he had fled the United States following its independence.
Following an interview with Secretary of State Lord Sydney in March 1784, Matra amended his proposal to include convicts as settlers, recognising the potential economic and humanitarian benefits. This amendment aligned with the British government's interest in establishing penal colonies, particularly after the ending of transportation of criminals to North America following the American Revolution. Matra's proposal provided a blueprint for the settlement in New South Wales, which was formally proclaimed by Governor Phillip on February 7, 1788, at Sydney Cove.
The inclusion of convicts and their gaolers in the colony's population led to the development of an economy based on farming, fishing, whaling, trade, and construction using convict labour. Over time, the number of free settlers, emancipated convicts, locally born children, and former soldiers grew, contributing to the expansion of the colony beyond the official bounds of settlement. By the 1790s, the colony had achieved the imperial objective of providing a harbour for British vessels in the Pacific.
It is worth noting that the idea of establishing a settlement for American Loyalists was not universally accepted. Some questioned whether Loyalists would be willing to move to such a distant and relatively unknown place when other options like Canada or Britain were available. Additionally, the presence of a penal colony in Australia as a counterrevolutionary strategy took precedence in the British government's plans.
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Frequently asked questions
The British government set up colonies in Australia to relieve the pressure on its prisons, a problem intensified by the loss of its American colonies, which until that time had accepted transported felons. The first British colonies in Australia were convict settlements or penal colonies.
The British government planned to develop the region's economy by employing convict labour on government farms, while former convicts would subsist on their own small plots. Convicts with special skills, such as leather work, blacksmithing, or carpentry, were tasked with building the colonies.
The early years of the convict settlements were very difficult. Settlers had little to no understanding of the environment, and they angered the local people by destroying their traditional lands. However, by 1803 the colony was self-sufficient in grain, and other industries like sealing and whaling had developed.
