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Captain Cook seized Australia in the name of the British Crown
In 1768, the Royal Society asked to James Cook who had a brilliant career in the Royal Navy to go on a voyage of dicovery in the South Pacific. The official goal was to record and observe the transit of Venus across the Sun in order to estimate the distance between those two celestial objects. But, as far as Cook was concerned, he truly was tasked with the conquest of Terra Australis Incognita (unknown southern land). -
First permanent settlement: Sydney
The colony was built in Sydney Cove by and for the convicts from Britain. -
Arrival of the first free settlers in Australia
The free settlers were attracted to the opportunity of having a brand new life. They were also interested by the natural ressources (gold, gemstones, coal and iron). Those free people were warmly welcomed as they were skilled workers. -
The first Tasmanian colony
Tasmania formely known as Van Diemen's land was one of the two main penal colonies in Australia. First intended for convicts, free settlers have arrived soon after. -
Half the population was born on Australian soil
The convicts built their new life and they had children. This new generation was born in Australia whereas the older generation came from Britain. -
Creation of the Victoria province and first gold rush
-This new province is set up in the south of the New South Wales. It is named after Queen Victoria (1837-1901). -Gold was found at Summerhill Creek and Ballarat. It increasingly attracted new settlers. Therefore, the population reached nearly half a million. -
Four of the five Australian provinces were consitered as self-governing
They gained a Parliament and they handled most of their affairs but remained under the British Empire. -
Creation of Queensland
Queensland was the last province to be created in the north-east of Australia. -
The six provinces are granted the "self-governing" status
80% of the population was born in Australia. During the Convention of the Australian Federation, they gathered and set up rules about how to govern Australia as an independent country. -
Creation of the "Commonwealth of Australia"
Australia had its own Parliament as the six provinces formed the Federation. However, the British crown stayed the governor.