Australia Was Originally Established As A Penal Colony

In 1788, the First Fleet arrived in Sydney Cove, establishing a British penal colony. Over the next 80 years, approximately 162,000 convicts were transported to Australia, fundamentally shaping its early development, society, and demographics.

Source

https://www.nma.gov.au/defining-moments/resources/convict-transportation

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Published: March 30, 2026
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Australia History Government Society Penal Colony Convicts First Fleet British Empire Australian History Settlement

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