Question

Difficulty: MediumEarly Free Settlers

Following the establishment of the first penal colonies, the population of Australia began to grow as people from Great Britain and Ireland arrived to start new lives, farms, and businesses of their own accord. Which term refers to these individuals who moved to the colonies by choice rather than as punishment?

  1. Free settlersAnswer
  2. B
    Convicts
  3. C
    Indigenous Australians

Answer

The term for people who moved to the Australian colonies by choice is 'free settlers'.
The correct answer is correct because the term 'free settlers' specifically identifies the migrants from Great Britain and Ireland who traveled to Australia by choice to build a new life, contrasting with the convict population.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the primary motivation of the group described in the question.
The group moved 'of their own accord' and 'by choice' to start farms and businesses.
The question specifies voluntary migration as opposed to forced transportation.
2
Distinguish between the different groups present in early colonial Australia.
Convicts were forced to come as punishment; Indigenous Australians were already there; 'free settlers' arrived voluntarily.
Historical terminology separates these groups based on their reason for being in the colonies.
3
Select the historical term that matches voluntary migration.
Free settlers.
This is the specific term used in the Australian Citizenship: Our Common Bond study guide.

Key Concept

Distinction between forced transportation and voluntary migration in early Australian history.

Hints

1
Think about the difference between someone who is forced to go to prison and someone who chooses to move for a job.
2
The term includes a word that implies they were not under any legal restriction or sentence.

Practice More

Review the reasons why the British government eventually stopped sending convicts to Australia as the free population grew.
Estimated Time:45s
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