First Fleet
Quick Summary
The First Fleet, arriving in 1788, marked the beginning of British colonization in Australia. Commanded by Arthur Phillip, the fleet carried approximately 750 convicts and over 250 free persons, establishing the first European colony at Port Jackson (modern-day Sydney). The primary motive for this settlement is debated, with traditional views suggesting it was to alleviate overcrowded prisons following the loss of American colonies, while others propose strategic or economic interests. This colonization significantly altered Australia's political, social, and economic structures, often at the expense of Aboriginal Australians and Torres Strait Islander peoples.123
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