answersLogoWhite

0

Australia was founded by the British for several reasons:

  • As a penal colony - British prisons were overcrowded with people charged with minor offences, in an attempt to crack down on rampant crime as people sought to survive unemployment in the Industrial Revolution.
  • Britain had originally been able to send convicts to America, but the American War of Independence stopped that. An alternative had to be found.
  • To gain a strategic foothold in the Pacific: The British and the French had been engaged in a colonial empirical "competition" since the 1600s. Both countries sought to colonise as much new land as they could. Britain was concerned that Australia, which would essentially be their only claim in the western Pacific, could be taken up by the French. Hence, they aimed to quickly colonise the new, southern continent with convicts.
  • There were resources in nearby territories (such as Norfolk Island) which were valuable to the British.
User Avatar

Wiki User

15y ago

What else can I help you with?

Related Questions

Why was south Australia established?

Adelaide was established as Australia's first free settlement. It was established on Australia's southern coast to help strengthen the British claim on Australia.


Why was Adelaide South Australia established?

Adelaide was established as Australia's first free settlement. It was established on Australia's southern coast to help strengthen the British claim on Australia.


When was the high court of Australia established?

the high court of Australia was established in 1901


What was Australia originally established for?

It was established as a penal colony.


Did British originally established Australia to be agricultural?

No, it was established as a penal colony.


Are stoats introduced into Australia?

Stoats are not native to Australia, but they have also not yet become established in Australia. At some stage in Australia's history, stoats were introduced as a method for controlling rabbits, but they did not become established.


What established the federal system of government in Australia?

The Constitution of the Commonwealth of Australia.


When was federal system of government established in Australia?

The Federal system of government was established in Australia at Federation, which occurred on 1 January 1901.


Australia was orginally established as a?

Australia was originally established as a convict colony. Prisoners from Britain were sent to New South Wales, the site of the first European settlement in Australia, in 1788.


How long the RSPCA been in Australia?

The RSCPA in Australia was established in Melbourne in 1871.


When was Caritas Australia established?

June 1964


What country was not established on formerly Russian land?

Australia was not established on formerly Russian land. Australia was founded by British colonists in the 18th century.