British Settlement of Australia

The British settlement of Australia began in 1788 when Britain established a penal colony at Botany Bay, primarily to alleviate overcrowded prisons. Over time, additional colonies formed along the coast, driven by a desire for new land, resources, and strategic advantage. The settlement process involved British immigration, agriculture, and development, often impacting Indigenous populations through displacement and conflict. This colonization transformed Australia into a British territory, leading to the growth of cities and the integration into the British Empire, shaping the nation's social, cultural, and economic landscape that persists today.