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They settled there because it was a good place to grow their crops
It was an open land that they could colonize using prisoners and other free labor. They didn't really count the native peoples who were there already.
There was a lot more to the British decision to establish a colony in New South Wales than the reasons listed above.
Firstly, such a colony would 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.
Secondly, colonising the east coast would expand the British empire, and prevent the French from gaining a foothold in the Australian continent or in that part of the Pacific.
Thirdly, it was believed that Australia could provide commercial and political gains to Britain. Britain also needed a port in the East to promote trade with China and to extend its naval and commercial power.
Lastly, 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.
Wiki User
∙ 12y ago
Wiki User
∙ 14y agoWhen James Cook charted Australia's eastern coast in 1770, he landed at botany Bay, and saw the possibilities for settlement in the area. He believed the harbour was sheltered, and that there would be suitable soil and water, and sufficient building timber to start a new settlement. Later, his botanist Sir Joseph Banks recommended that a new penal settlement be established there.
Wiki User
∙ 14y agoBecause James Cook had already seen and mapped out that area and the rest of Australia was virtually unknown to the English.
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Australia was first settled as a?
Australia was first settled as a penal colony, housing the excess convicts from England. However, this was not its only purpose. It was set up to become its own self-sufficient colony as the British wanted a strong presence in the Pacific. The continent also provided the British Empire with natural resources.
In which type of colony did the system of government set the stage for revolution?
the Royal colony
What part of Australia did the British set up camp?
The first colony officially established by the British was Sydney, at Port Jackson, in 1788. However, in 1770, when James Cook's ship, HM Bark Endeavour, was damaged on the Great Barrier Reef, Cook and his scientists and crew set up camp for about 5 weeks near the site of today's Cooktown, where the Endeavour River has its mouth.
Why did Spain establish the colony of Santa Fe?
An English explorer had set sail for the Americas.
What was La Salle looking for when he set sail for the gulf of Mexico in 1684?
An existing colony.
What colony set up the first tax supported public schools in British North America?
The first colony that set up a tax-supported public schools in British North America was Aurora city schools.
Why did the vikings decide not to set up a colony in north America?
The Vikings decided not to set up a colony in North America because it was so far away from home and they were repeatedly attacked by Native Americans.
Why did the british set up a system of government in Jamaica?
because they found outthatJamaicahad plot and they decide to set up it out her
Where is camp orange set?
Mogo, NSW
Which colony set up the first tax supported school?
The first colony that set up a tax-supported public schools in British north America was Aurora city schools.
How the British used austarlia?
Australia was originally set up as a penal colony where Britain sent prisoners.
What were the Committees that spread news to protest against Britain from Colony to Colony?
They were called Committees of Correpondence and were set up in the major cities of each colony, in order to share information on British activities and the responses by the colonists.
When did Anglicanism first arrive in Australia?
As soon as the British state set foot in the country. Anglican Christianity was the official religion of Britain, and therefore the British colony, Australia.
Why is Australia considered a former colony?
Australia is considered a former colony because it was established as a colony of Great Britain in 1788. Its early Governors were all appointed by the authorities in Great Britain, and its laws were set by British laws.
Why do the British refer to the First Fleet as colonisers?
Why?, because they were, Orders-In-Council of 1785 issued that a colony should be set up at Botany Bay.
Where did the Spaniards set up a permanent colony?
Where did the Spaniards set up a permanent colony
Where did the Spaniards set up permanent colony?
Where did the Spaniards set up a permanent colony
