The convict system served as the primary workforce during the early years of European settlement in Australia. Which of the following best describes how the labor of these convicts was utilized to support the growth and expansion of the colonies?
- AConvicts were primarily trained as a specialized military force to defend the coastline, as the British government prioritized colonial defense over building infrastructure or farming.
- Convicts provided the essential labor required to build vital infrastructure such as roads, bridges, and public buildings, and were often assigned to work on the farms of free settlers.Answer
- CThe convict system required all prisoners to remain in total isolation within prison buildings, as the early colonial administration relied exclusively on the Royal Marines for all manual labor and construction.
Answer
Convicts provided the essential labor required to build vital infrastructure such as roads, bridges, and public buildings, and were often assigned to work on the farms of free settlers.
The correct answer accurately reflects that the convict system was a practical solution to the colony's lack of labor. Convicts were the engine of growth, constructing the physical foundations of towns and supporting the agricultural efforts of early free settlers, which was essential for the colony's long-term viability.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
The economic and developmental role of convict labor
Hints
1
Consider what a new colony needs most: buildings, food, and paths to travel between locations.
2
Think about whether a government with limited resources would keep thousands of people locked up or put them to work on the land.
3
The early Australian economy relied on 'assignment,' where convicts were 'assigned' to work for private individuals or the government.
Practice More
Research the 'Ticket of Leave' system to see how convict labor was rewarded with early freedom.
Estimated Time:1m 30s