Sir Henry Parkes had no influence in helping transport convicts to Australia. On the contrary, he was significant in stopping the transportation of convicts. For example, Parkes was one of the demonstrators who gathered at Sydney Cove in 1849 when the ship Hashemy arrived with more convicts.
Convicts were sent to South Australia primarily as part of British penal transportation, which aimed to alleviate overcrowded prisons in Britain. The first group of convicts arrived in 1836 to help establish the colony of South Australia. Unlike other Australian colonies, South Australia was founded with the intention of being a free settlement, but convicts were still sent there until transportation ceased in 1840. The convicts contributed to the development of infrastructure and agriculture in the region.
As near as can be determined from records, it is believed that a total of around 162,000 convicts came to Australia, from the time of the First Fleet in 1788 until the cessation of transportation with the final shipload of convicts to Western Australia in 1868.
The marines were required to guard the convicts, and to help keep law and order in the new colony.
Australia's first European settlers arrived in Australia on 26 January 1788. These early seetlers were primarily convicts from England, together with the officers and marines sent with them to help keep order and establish the new colony.
Australia has an interesting history with many unique aspects. To begin with, the country was founded by British convicts, along with the officers sent to supervise the establishment of a new colony. The states of New South Wales, Tasmania and Queensland were all established by convicts, while the convict-founded Victoria colony initially failed. Western Australia was not founded by convicts, but the request was made for convicts to help boost the labour force and population 15 years after it was settled: only South Australia has no direct convict history. Colonisation ultimately led to the displacement of the indigenous people, and a great many atrocities perpetrated upon the Aborigines. Many brave men explored the interior of Australia, enduring harsh and unfamiliar terrain in order to expand the possibilities for settlement. In many cases they were assisted by Aborigines, but in some cases they endured hostile attacks. The physical, economic and cultural landscape of Australia was forever altered with the goldrushes which began in the 1850s. The goldrushes gave Australia the economic and political confidence to aim for Federation, in which the individual colonies joined as a single nation. Federation marked the beginning of Australia's long journey to achieve complete independence from Britain.
The convicts of the First Fleet had numerous tasks. They were required to clear the land of trees and rocks; cut stone and construct buildings; quarry stone for roads; plough the soil and plant seed; and numerous other trades to help build the colony up to the point of being self-sufficient.
Australia would almost certainly have been different. Many states of Australia were founded and settled by convicts. It is also conceivable that the French might have settled the continent first, as they were showing interest in various locations around Australia. Instead of English being the main language in Australia, quite possible French would be the main language. Having such a large number of convicts in Australia possibly contributed to the absence of the "class" structure that was prevalent in England, and still is, to some degree. There is a very strong sense of mateship, of loyalty to one's friends, borne out of the need to group together and work hard to overcome hardship. Australians do not keep themselves separate from those in need, but always pitch in and help whenever there is a natural disaster (which is often).
Convicts were transported to South Australia primarily between 1836 and 1840, as part of the British government's strategy to alleviate overcrowding in prisons. The establishment of the colony aimed to create a free settlement, but the need for labor led to the inclusion of convicts to help develop infrastructure and agriculture. Convict labor played a significant role in the early economic development of the region, despite the colony's initial vision as a free settlement. Over time, the convict population helped shape the social and cultural landscape of South Australia.
Yes, the convicts played a crucial role in assisting the governor during the first fleet's arrival in Australia. They were utilized for labor and contributed to the establishment of the new colony by building infrastructure, such as roads and buildings. Their efforts were essential for the initial survival and development of the settlement in the challenging environment.
The Swan River colony (Western Australia), established on Australia's western coast in 1829, was begun as a free settlement. For the first fifteen years, the people of the colony were generally opposed to accepting convicts, although the idea was occasionally debated, especially by those who sought to employ convict labour for building projects. Eventually convicts did come to Western Australia, and they were used as a cheap form of labour for many projects.
The health of the First Fleet convicts was surprisingly good, and better than subsequent fleets. Captain Arthur Phillip considered the needs of the convicts, ensuring that there was sufficient lime juice to help prevent scurvy. Phillip did not condone violence towards or abuse of the convicts. The First Fleet had the best record of all the other fleets for health and treatment of the convicts.