transportation of convicts

Transportation of convicts was a historical process in which prisoners, mostly from Britain and Ireland, were sent to penal colonies, such as Australia, as a form of punishment and to alleviate overcrowded prisons. Convicts were typically kept in ships during long voyages, often facing harsh conditions. Upon arrival, they were assigned labor tasks or new settlements, helping build colonies and expand territories. This practice lasted from the 18th to the 19th century and played a significant role in the development of places like Australia. It was seen as both a punishment and a way to utilize convict labor for societal and economic growth.