What was the reason many settlers came to Australia in the 1850s?

Answer 1

There were a number of reasons.

Australia, the "Great South Land", had been discovered quite by accident by Dutch and Portuguese explorers and traders during the 1600s. The Dutch explored enroute to where they traded goods in the West Indies, and came across the continent by accident. They showed no interest in the rather harsh-looking country.

The British explored with the aim of increasing the size of their Empire. The first Englishman to explore and map parts of New Holland was William Dampier who, upon landing on the western coast, was unimpressed by the dry, barren landscape, the lack of water and what he described as the "miserablest people in the world" - the native population.

Captain James Cook was the first to chart Australia's eastern coast, discovering the marvellous fertility and potential of the land that had not been claimed by any other nation. His recommendation that England colonise the land was taken seriously, and the authorities in Engalnd realised that such colonisation would solve a rather major problem that had developed.

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.

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

Once initial settlement occurred, people of other cultural groups moved to Australia for a better life, or to escape religious persecution, or to make their fortune in the goldrushes.

Answer 2

The first Europeans who arrived in New South Wales in 1788 were convicts, officers and marines. The convicts were sent as a result of the overcrowded gaols in England, as James Cook's exploration in 1770 had led to him recommending NSW for penal settlement.

There were numerous other advantages to England establishing a presence in the South Pacific in the late 1700s and early 1800s. This included expansion of the British Empire; defence strategy; and the hope of utilising Australia's Natural Resources.

Answer 3

The reason why Europeans colonised Australia is because the English wanted prison space and it was a race to get the owner ship of as many lands as possible between Spain, England and other smaller countrys.

THIS ANSWER WAS DONE BY PINAPPLE BUNNY

Answer 4

The very first European settlers in Australia were a mix of convicts, officers and marines, and their families, the free only settlers, all of whom came from England.The convicts had no choice but to be sent to New South Wales, while the officers were appointed in charge of them.

Answer 5

Many settlers who arrived in Australia during the 1850s came as a result of the goldrushes. The discovery of payable gold in 1851 led to further discoveries, and Australia's population swelled by tens of thousnds within a few short years as people arrived, hoping to make their fortune.

In addition, religious persecution in Europe among areas of Germany and Prussia drove many settlers to Australia, as did the potato famine in Ireland.

Answer 6

The landless of Britain were sent to the colonies to provide them with a livelihood and ease the problem of the unemployed in the United Kingdom.