What was the reason for the first fleet?

Answer 1

The First Fleet was the first fleet of eleven ships which arrived in Australia in January 1788, carrying convicts, officers, marines and their families. They arrived at Port Jackson, now known as Sydney, New South Wales, to establish a convict colony.

The First Fleet was the result of very difficult conditions in England in the 18th century. The industrial revolution had removed many people's opportunities to earn an honest wage as simpler tasks were replaced by machine labour. As unemployment rose, so did crime, especially the theft of basic necessities such as food and clothing. The British prison system was soon full to overflowing, and a new place had to be found to ship the prison inmates. The American colonies were no longer viable, following the American war of Independence. Following Captain Cook's voyage to the South Pacific in 1770, the previously uncharted continent of New Holland proved to be suitable. Cook had claimed the eastern half of the continent for England, naming it "New South Wales", and determined that a small bay in the south which he named "botany Bay" would present the ideal conditions for a penal colony.

In August 1786 the British authorities decided to send a colonisation party of convicts, military and civilian personnel to Botany Bay, under the command of Captain Arthur Phillip, who was appointed Governor-designate.

Answer 2

The First Fleet set sail from England to New South Wales in 1787 in order to bring the first settlers to Australia. These settlers were mostly unwilling convicts. However, there were numerous reasons why the First Fleet set sail.

1. To solve the problem of Britain's overcrowded prisons (a consequence of the Industrial Revolution) by establishing a new penal colony in a land which showed promise for eventually becoming self-supporting. Britain had been sending their excess prisoners to North America, but the American War of Independence put a stop to the practice. After James Cook's successful voyage which involved charting the eastern coast of Australia, New South Wales was seen as a viable proposition for a convict colony. In particular, it was endorsed by Sir Joseph Banks, the influential botanist who travelled with Cook.

2. To expand the British empire, and prevent the French from gaining a foothold in the Australian continent or in that part of the Pacific. Sending the First Fleet enabled Britain to establish its claim on New South Wales.

3. Once the First Fleet established itself in New South Wales, Australia could provide commercial and political gains to Britain.

4. 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.

5. Britain needed a port in the East to promote trade with China and to extend its naval and commercial power.

The first permanent settlers arrived in Australia with the First Fleet on 26 January 1788 to set up the new penal colony.

Answer 3

The British Government decided to establish a colony in Australia and sent 11 ship loads of people, including convicts, to do it.

Conditions in England in the 18th century were tough: the industrial revolution had removed many people's opportunities to earn an honest wage as simpler tasks were replaced by machine labour. As unemployment rose, so did crime, especially the theft of basic necessities such as food and clothing. The British prison system was soon full to overflowing, and a new place had to be found to ship the prison inmates. The American colonies were no longer viable, following the American war of Independence. Following Captain Cook's voyage to the South Pacific in 1770, the previously uncharted continent of New Holland proved to be suitable. Cook had claimed the eastern half of the continent for England, naming it "New South Wales", and determined that a small bay in the south which he named "Botany Bay" would present the ideal conditions for a penal colony.

On 18 August 1786 the decision was made to send a colonisation party of convicts, military and civilian personnel to Botany Bay, under the command of Captain Arthur Phillip, who was appointed Governor-designate.

Answer 4

The First Fleet refers to the first fleet of eleven ships which arrived in Australia in January 1788, carrying convicts, officers, marines and their families. They arrived at Port Jackson, now known as Sydney, New South Wales, to establish a convict colony.

The reason for sending convicts to Australia was to solve the problem of Britain's overcrowded prisons (a consequence of the Industrial Revolution). England aimed to establish a new penal colony in a land which showed promise for eventually becoming self-supporting. Britain had been sending their excess prisoners to North America, but the American War of Independence put a stop to the practice. Following this, the English were no longer able to transport surplus prisoners who couldn't legally be executed to North America.

At the same time, this would help to expand the British empire, and prevent the French from gaining a foothold in the Australian continent or in that part of the Pacific.