answersLogoWhite

0


Best Answer

prisoners

people convicted of crimes

Whilst Australia was founded by convicts, strictly speaking it was not founded for convicts. There were many reasons why the British wished to colonise Australia, and using it as a place to send convicts was an excuse more than a reason.

The British colonised Australia to expand the British empire, and prevent the French from gaining a foothold in the Australian continent or in that part of the Pacific. It was expected that Australia could provide commercial and political gains to Britain, and Britain needed a port in the East to promote trade with China and to extend its naval and commercial power.

Also, due to war, Britain needed to find an alternative supply of Flax and timber as her Baltic supply was under threat. James Cook had reported that nearby Norfolk Island might be a suitable source, so it was strategic to colonise the nearby continent of Terra Australis.

User Avatar

Freeda Kris

Lvl 13
1y ago
This answer is:
User Avatar
More answers
User Avatar

Vincent Kemmer

Lvl 13
2y ago

prisoners

people convicted of crimes

Whilst Australia was founded by convicts, strictly speaking it was not founded for convicts. There were many reasons why the British wished to colonise Australia, and using it as a place to send convicts was an excuse more than a reason.

The British colonised Australia to expand the British empire, and prevent the French from gaining a foothold in the Australian continent or in that part of the Pacific. It was expected that Australia could provide commercial and political gains to Britain, and Britain needed a port in the East to promote trade with China and to extend its naval and commercial power.

Also, due to war, Britain needed to find an alternative supply of Flax and timber as her Baltic supply was under threat. James Cook had reported that nearby Norfolk Island might be a suitable source, so it was strategic to colonise the nearby continent of Terra Australis.

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Wiki User

13y ago

prisoners

people convicted of crimes

Whilst Australia was founded by convicts, strictly speaking it was not founded for convicts. There were many reasons why the British wished to colonise Australia, and using it as a place to send convicts was an excuse more than a reason.

The British colonised Australia to expand the British empire, and prevent the French from gaining a foothold in the Australian continent or in that part of the Pacific. It was expected that Australia could provide commercial and political gains to Britain, and Britain needed a port in the East to promote trade with China and to extend its naval and commercial power.

Also, due to war, Britain needed to find an alternative supply of Flax and timber as her Baltic supply was under threat. James Cook had reported that nearby Norfolk Island might be a suitable source, so it was strategic to colonise the nearby continent of Terra Australis.

This answer is:
User Avatar

Add your answer:

Earn +20 pts
Q: Australia was founded as a British colony for what?
Write your answer...
Submit
Still have questions?
magnify glass
imp
Continue Learning about World History

Australia was founded as a British colony for?

Australia, or New South Wales as the eastern coast was then known, was originally a penal colony, meaning it was a colony for convicts from Great Britain. Australia was first colonised by the British in order to relieve the overly full British prisons. However, only relatively small parts of Australia were used as penal settlements. Indigenous Australians inhabited the rest of the continent as well. As well as Sydney (the first settlement in New South Wakes), convict colonies were begun in Victoria, Moreton Bay (Queensland), Hobart and Newcastle. The colony of South Australia was never a penal settlement. Swan River (Perth) began as a free settlement, but convicts were sent there later as free labour.


What country once ruled Australia?

Australia was once a colony of Great Britain.


Where was Australia founded?

The continent of Australia was founded with the raising of the British flag at Sydney Cove. The first permanent settlement in Australia was founded by Captain Arthur Phillip on 26 January 1788.When the Commonwealth of Australia was founded, following the federation of the colonies on 1 January 1901, the proclamation was announced by Australia's first Governor-General, John Hope, at Centennial Park in Sydney.


What happened in 1607 AD?

In 1607, the settlement of Raleigh was founded in the Virginia colony. It was the first British settlement of its kind in North America.


Australia was first settled as a?

Australia was first settled as a penal colony, housing the excess convicts from England. However, this was not its only purpose. It was set up to become its own self-sufficient colony as the British wanted a strong presence in the Pacific. The continent also provided the British Empire with natural resources.

Related questions

Who founded the first british colony of Singapore?

the first British colony in Singapore is......................................


What US colony was founded as a British prison?

There was not a colony that was founded by prisoners. However, there was a colony founded so that it could be used as a British penal colony. That colony was Georgia.


In 1607 the British founded their first colony and called it?

The British colony of Jamestown was founded on the coast of what is now the state of Virginia in 1607. The colony was named after King James of England.


Who was to settle the British colony in Australia?

Governor Arthur Phillip led the First Fleet to Australia, establishing the first British colony in the land.


Who began the country of Australia?

The British Colony's


Why did British Columbia become a British colony?

Because British Columbia was found, settled, and founded by the British.


Australia was founded as a British colony for?

Australia, or New South Wales as the eastern coast was then known, was originally a penal colony, meaning it was a colony for convicts from Great Britain. Australia was first colonised by the British in order to relieve the overly full British prisons. However, only relatively small parts of Australia were used as penal settlements. Indigenous Australians inhabited the rest of the continent as well. As well as Sydney (the first settlement in New South Wakes), convict colonies were begun in Victoria, Moreton Bay (Queensland), Hobart and Newcastle. The colony of South Australia was never a penal settlement. Swan River (Perth) began as a free settlement, but convicts were sent there later as free labour.


What US colony was founded home for British prisoners?

Georgia


What US colony was founded as home for British prisoners?

Georgia


Why did Australia become an English colony?

because the English founded it and were the first overseas colony to live here.


What was Australia like under the british colony?

hard


Which large city became the first British colony in Australia?

The first British colony in Australia was Sydney. It was not a large city, but a very small settlement originally established as a penal colony at Port Jackson.