Australian convict settlements

The colonization of Australia by the British began in 1788, primarily as a penal settlement. The British government established the colony of New South Wales with the initial intention of relieving overcrowded prisons following the loss of American colonies, which had previously accepted transported convicts.12

On January 26, 1788, Arthur Phillip arrived with the First Fleet, carrying approximately 750 convicts and over 250 free persons, establishing the first European settlement in Sydney Cove. The colony's territory was vast, encompassing much of eastern Australia. While some Aboriginal Australians initially accommodated the newcomers, resistance to the settlers' abuses, including raids for food and retaliation for the abduction of children, was met with force.1

Over time, New South Wales was subdivided, leading to the formation of other colonies. Penal settlements, such as the one at Moreton Bay (later Brisbane), were established for repeat offenders, characterized by harsh conditions and forced labor. The practice of transporting convicts to Australia continued until the mid-19th century, after which governments shifted to alternative methods of crime control.32