The British colony of Australia began in 1788 with the establishment of a penal colony at Port Jackson in New South Wales. Overcrowding in British prisons led them to send convicts to Australia, where they established a labor system using convicts to develop infrastructure and work for settlers. One of the strictest penal colonies was Port Arthur in Tasmania, established in 1830 to house hardened criminals re-offending in Australia. Conflict arose between British settlers and Aboriginal Australians, as settlers brought disease and guns while forcing surviving Aborigines onto interior reservations. Gold discoveries in 1851 attracted many new settlers and increased Australia's push for independence from Britain.

1. British Colonization

2. The History of AustraliaAustralia the ColonyThe colony of Australia began with the establishment of Port Jackson, a settlement in New South Wales on January 26, 1788.

3. The History of AustraliaFounding of Port Jackson

4. Prison Colonies1787 – British ships called the “First Fleet” left England with convicts to establish a prison colony at Port Jackson – convicts settled in 1788.

5. Convicts Take Over AustraliaThe British experienced overcrowding in their prison system and sought to solve the problem by sentencing their prisoners to “transportation” -- Australia. Here they founded a system of labor in which people, whatever their crime, were employed according to their skills. From 1810, convicts were seen as a source of labor to advance and develop the British colony. Convict labor was used to develop the public facilities of the colonies - roads, bridges, courthouses, and hospitals. Convicts also worked for free settlers and small land holders.

6. Port ArthurPort Arthur was named after Van Diemen's Land lieutenant governor George Arthur. The settlement started as a timber station in 1830, but it is best known for being a penal colony.From 1833, until the 1850s, it was the destination for the hardest of convicted British and Irish criminals, those who were secondary offenders having re-offended after their arrival in Australia. Rebellious personalities from other convict stations were also sent here.In addition, Port Arthur had some of the strictest security measures of the British penal system.

7. The History of AustraliaPort Arthur Prison

8. The History of AustraliaConvict-built chapel at Port Arthur Prison

9. Port ArthurSome tales suggest that prisoners committed murder (an offence punishable by death) just to escape the desolation of life at the camp.The Island of the Dead was the destination for all who died inside the prison camps.

10. Island of the Dead

11. Aborigines vs. BritishBritish settlers brought disease and guns to Australia.The Aborigines had no immunity against European diseases.In the 19th & 20th centuries, conflict worsened.Surviving Aborigines were forced onto reservations in the interior.

12. Australia Grows Up! 1851- Gold was discovered in New South Wales and Victoria, attracting a large population.Australia’s population quadrupled!!Independence became an issue.