Was the rum rebellion a good or bad thing?

Answer 1

Few would regard the Rum Rebellion as a good thing. The Rum Rebellion was an event in Australia's early colonial history in which one of the colony's early governors was removed from his position by the settlers.

Governor William Bligh, Governor of New South Wales in 1805, was a strong character, concerned about discipline in the somewhat unruly colony, but he received a lot of criticism for his seemingly tyrannical ways. He was considered to have a disregard for English law but this was largely because he sought to bring in new laws more suited to the colony than previous rules which were better suited to England's conditions. Many at the time may have thought the rebellion was a good idea, because under Bligh, they were not free to do whatever they wished in the colony. Bligh had high standards which he upheld strictly.

Bligh's main critic was the influential grazier and wool grower John Macarthur, who convinced men from the New South Wales Corp to rebel against Bligh. On 26 January 1808, Governor Bligh was overthrown and replaced with a military Junta. The event caused Bligh to be imprisoned from 1808 to 1810. Historical evidence suggests it was more due to a clash of strong personalities than anything else. Bligh did have a violent temper and tended to alienate others, but his motives were honourable. Bligh was exonerated in 1811, after which he returned to England.

Answer 2

The interpretation of the Rum Rebellion depends on one's perspective. From the British colonial government's point of view, it was a bad thing as it represented an uprising against their authority. However, from the perspective of the New South Wales Corps and other people who opposed the governor's policies, it was seen as a necessary action to challenge unfair practices and corruption.