How did the Australia become part of the british empire?

Answer 1

Australia became part of the British Empire when it was established as a convict colony, commanded by Captain Arthur Phillip, on 26 January 1778. Much groundwork was done prior to this date.

In 1770 James Cook claimed the whole of the easternseaboard of the continent, naming it New South Wales. The Western half of the continent was still named New Holland (the original designation by the Dutch), remaining unclaimed by the British until 1826, when Edmund Lockyer made an official claim on Britain's behalf.

Britain was an Imperial power dating back well into the Nineteenth century. Britain based one of its colonies on Australian land. Hence, Australia belonged to the British Empire. Although the British Empire no longer exists, many of its former countries are members of the Commonwealth of Nations.

Australia was claimed by Captain James Cook in 1770 for the British and the settling of convicts at Sydney Cove in 1788 served several purposes. It provided a British contingent to occupy the continent (allowing the Empire to expand as it had done in India, Africa and America) and provided a place to settle convicts who had been building up in numbers in prison hulks since the American war of independence had stopped convicts being deposited there.

In addition, Britain hoped to capitalise on Australia's resources. It was believed Australia could provide commercial and political gains to Britain. Due to war, Britain needed to find an alternative supply of Flax and timber as her Baltic supply was under threat. It was believed that nearby Norfolk Island would provide this. Also, Britain needed a port in the East to promote trade with China and to extend its naval and commercial power.

Answer 2

Australia became part of the British Empire when it was established as a convict colony, commanded by Captain Arthur Phillip, on 26 January 1778. Much groundwork was done prior to this date.

In 1770 James Cook claimed the whole of the easternseaboard of the continent, naming it New South Wales. The Western half of the continent was still named New Holland (the original designation by the Dutch), remaining unclaimed by the British until 1826, when Edmund Lockyer made an official claim on Britain's behalf.

Britain was an Imperial power dating back well into the Nineteenth century. Britain based one of its colonies on Australian land. Hence, Australia belonged to the British Empire. Although the British Empire no longer exists, many of its former countries are members of the Commonwealth of Nations.

Australia was claimed by Captain James Cook in 1770 for the British and the settling of convicts at Sydney Cove in 1788 served several purposes. It provided a British contingent to occupy the continent (allowing the Empire to expand as it had done in India, Africa and America) and provided a place to settle convicts who had been building up in numbers in prison hulks since the American war of independence had stopped convicts being deposited there.

In addition, Britain hoped to capitalise on Australia's resources. It was believed Australia could provide commercial and political gains to Britain. Due to war, Britain needed to find an alternative supply of Flax and timber as her Baltic supply was under threat. It was believed that nearby Norfolk Island would provide this. Also, Britain needed a port in the East to promote trade with China and to extend its naval and commercial power.