It took over 252 days for the First Fleet to travel from England to New South Wales carrying over 1500 men, women, and children.
The Fleet left England on the 13th of May, 1787 and arrived in Botany Bay on 18th of January. However, the Fleet did not settle in Botany Bay due to the harbour being unsafe and lacked fresh water. The Fleet then arrived in Sydney Cove on the 26th of January, 1788. This site was perfect for settlement as the land had deep water which was close to shore, shelter, and fresh water available. This day became known as Australia Day marking the beginning of European settlement. |
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Indigenous PopulationOriginally the land surrounding Sydney was declared to be uninhabited. This was untrue where the land belonged to the Eora and Dharug people. Once the British flag was raised, the land was declared to be owned by the British.
In addition to this, the Indigenous population were also made British subjects where the Indigenous population were expected to obey the laws of Great Britain. The landing of the British caused major problems for the Indigenous population. This first occurred from the Indigenous population had their own laws, had great respect for their land, families, clans, and language groups. Problems also occurred when the British caused the Indigenous groups to lose their land, hunting grounds (and consequently their food source), and way of life. The British also brought disease with them (such as smallpox) that killed thousands of Indigenous people. It was also found that the British cut down trees, destroyed sacred sites, and stole weapons - all to expand their colony and extend their control of the land. The British settlement in Australian became known as the European invasion |
William Bradley was charged with kidnapping and mistreating two Indigenous people - Bennelong and Colbey.
William Bradley lured Bennelong and Colbey using fish to draw them away from their group. They left their spears near some rocks and met William Bradley on the beach. William Bradley tied up Bennelong and Colbey so they wouldn't escape. William Bradley then forced the two to learn English to form a way of communicating with the Indigenous tribes. Click on the link below to be the judge in a mock trial of the Trial of William Bradley. |