What was the purpose of Australia for the British originally?

Answer 1

The British first used Australia in a number of ways.

Convict colony:

During the 18th century, British prisons were overcrowded with people charged with minor offences. This was an attempt to crack down on rampant crime as people sought to survive unemployment in the Industrial Revolution. The Industrial Revolution meant that the development of machines displaced many people from their employment, and the only way to survive was to steal food and other basic necessities. However, because of this, the prisons were so overcrowded that people were even held on hulk - old prison ships - moored along the Thames.

Britain had originally been able to send convicts to America, but the American War of Independence stopped that. An alternative had to be found. James Cook and Sir Joseph Banks had recommended botany Bay (New South Wales) after their exploration of the region in 1770. The authorities in Britain decided to act on this recommendation, sending the First Fleet of convict in 1787, who then arrived in New South Wales in 1788.

In addition, because Australia was so far away, there was little chance of the convicts getting back to Britain.

Expansion of the British Empire:

To expand the British empire, and prevent the French from gaining a foothold in the Australian continent or in that part of the Pacific. By colonising Australia, it gave the British a presence in the South Pacific, to offset French interests.

Answer 2

Many people believe that Britain's original purpose for Australia was purely as a penal settlement for its excess convicts. This is not the case. The British decided to colonise Australia for several reasons:

1. To expand the British empire, and prevent the French from gaining a foothold in the Australian continent or in that part of the Pacific.

2. To 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. Following this, the English were no longer able to transport surplus prisoners who couldn't legally be executed to North America.

3. Australia could provide commercial and political gains to Britain.

4. 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.

5. Britain needed a port in the East to promote trade with China and to extend its naval and commercial power.

6. The continent had Natural Resources which England wanted.

The first permanent settlers arrived in Australia with the First Fleet on 26 January 1788 to set up the new penal colony.

Answer 3

The British first used Australia and the convicts in a number of ways.

Convict colony:

During the 18th century, British prisons were overcrowded with people charged with minor offences. This was an attempt to crack down on rampant crime as people sought to survive unemployment in the Industrial Revolution. The Industrial Revolution meant that the development of machines displaced many people from their employment, and the only way to survive was to steal food and other basic necessities. However, because of this, the prisons were so overcrowded that people were even held on hulk - old prison ships - moored along the Thames.

Britain had originally been able to send convicts to America, but the American War of Independence stopped that. An alternative had to be found. James Cook and Sir Joseph Banks had recommended Botany Bay (New South Wales) after their exploration of the region in 1770. The authorities in Britain decided to act on this recommendation, sending the First Fleet of convict in 1787, who then arrived in New South Wales in 1788.

the convicts literally built the colony. They cleared ground, planted crops (albeit very unwillingly in the humid heat), built roads and bridges, constructed houses and other dwellings and undertook various trades that served useful purposes in the growing colony.

Expansion of the British Empire:

To expand the British empire, and prevent the French from gaining a foothold in the Australian continent or in that part of the Pacific. By colonising Australia, it gave the British a presence in the South Pacific, to offset French interests.