Rum Rebellion

The Rum Rebellion was a significant event in Australian history that occurred in 1808 when a group of New South Wales colonists, led by Major George Johnston, overthrew Governor William Bligh. Tensions arose over Bligh’s attempts to regulate the rum trade, which was vital to the colony's economy and the interests of influential merchants. The rebellion was primarily driven by conflicts over power and the control of trade. It ultimately highlighted the struggles between the military and civil authorities in the early colonial administration of Australia and marked a turning point in governance.