Before the British established a colony in , European mariners from several nations had already encountered the Australian coastline. Which of the following best explains why the expedition led by Captain James Cook was a significant turning point compared to the Dutch explorations of the s?
- The Dutch mapped the northern and western coasts but saw no reason to stay, while Cook’s mapping of the east coast led to the British decision to settle.Answer
- BThe Dutch explorers were primarily concerned with establishing permanent inland trade routes, whereas Cook was the first to identify the continent as an island.
- CThe voyage marked the very first time any European ship reached the continent, as previous Dutch reports were based on sightings of nearby islands only.
Answer
The correct answer states that the Dutch mapped the northern and western coasts but saw no reason to stay, while Cook’s mapping of the east coast led to the British decision to settle.
The Dutch mariners (starting with Willem Janszoon in ) mapped the western and northern coasts of the continent during the s but concluded the land was too dry or barren for their needs. In contrast, James Cook's voyage along the east coast resulted in a more favorable report on the land's fertility, which directly motivated the British government to establish a penal colony eighteen years later.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
The shift from early Dutch maritime mapping to British colonization following James Cook's expedition.
Hints
1
Think about which part of Australia each nation explored and how they described what they saw.
2
The Dutch explored the West and North in the s, while the British explored the East in .
3
Consider the connection between James Cook's favorable report of the East Coast and the decision to send the First Fleet.
Practice More
Review the specific year Willem Janszoon first landed on the Australian coast to understand the timeline of Dutch exploration.
Estimated Time:2m 0s