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Difficulty: MediumArrival of the First Fleet

When the First Fleet reached Sydney Cove in the late 18th century, it marked the beginning of European settlement in Australia. Which of the following best explains why the British Government decided to send these ships to establish a new colony?

  1. To house convicts in a new settlement because the jails in Great Britain were fullAnswer
  2. B
    To allow large numbers of people to move voluntarily and start farms on free land
  3. C
    To explore the continent specifically to find gold and other valuable minerals

Answer

The correct answer is that the British Government sent the First Fleet to house convicts in a new settlement because the jails in Great Britain were full.
The British government sent the First Fleet to Australia in 1788 primarily to establish a penal colony. This decision was a direct response to the crisis of overcrowded jails in Great Britain, which resulted from changes in society and the loss of other overseas territories where they previously sent prisoners.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the historical context of the First Fleet's arrival in 1788.
The ships arrived to establish the first European colony in Australia.
Establishing the timeframe helps separate the first settlement from later events like the Gold Rush.
2
Analyze the social problems in Great Britain during the late 1700s.
The Industrial Revolution and loss of American colonies led to a severe overcrowding of British prisons.
This identifies the specific problem the British government was trying to solve.
3
Determine the primary purpose of the new settlement.
The settlement was intended as a penal colony (a place for prisoners) rather than for trade or voluntary migration.
This confirms the primary motive for sending the eleven ships of the First Fleet.

Key Concept

The First Fleet was sent to Australia to establish a penal colony due to the overcrowding of prisons in Great Britain.

Hints

1
Think about why the British government would need to send thousands of people to a very distant land in the 1700s.
2
Consider the term 'penal colony' and what that implies about the people on the ships.
Estimated Time:1m 0s
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Arrival of the First Fleet

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