What were the disadvantages of being a convict on the first fleet?

Answer 1

Convicts on the First Fleet were denied their freedom. Loss of liberty was a significant disadvantage as they no longer had the right to choose what to do or when to do it. They were denied the right to choose anything for themselves, including their food, which was strictly rationed. They were also denied personal possessions. They were put on board the ships with only what they wore.

Convicts had to work hard, and the climate was hot and humid for much of the year. They were used to the cooler conditions of England, and many of them simply refused to work. However, if they refused to work, then this meant crops could not be grown for food. Not only that, the tools with which they had to work were inadequate for the hard soil, and broke easily.

Homesickness was rife. The convicts were thousands of miles from home, and there was little likelihood they would return to England. physical sickness was also common, especially scurvy and dysentery. While on bard the ships, the convicts suffered severely from seasickness as well, as the weather was particularly wild after the ships left Cape Town. They could not bathe, and the conditions were decidedly unsanitary.