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First Australians' experiences of colonisation.: Home

History Stage 4

To acknowledge the cost of colonisation will not reverse it, but truth-telling is a vital step in seriously addressing the darkest parts of our country’s past.   Damien Webb, Curator, Eight days in Kamay exhibition, State Library of NSW.

Books in the library (for use within the Library)

We now have a separate collection of resources to assist students researching topics related to First Nations Australians.

Context: The world in the Eighteenth Century (1700 - 1800)

Significant occurrences and cultural attitudes:

  • A determination to find and claim the 'Great South Land'.
  • Continuing colonisation of the Americas; American Revolutionary War of Independence from Britain leaves Britain looking for new lands
  • Age of Enlightenment; Scientific advancement; botanical and agricultural discovery; The importance of the Royal Society
  • Age of Revolutions (America, France)
  • Industrial Revolution - puts pressure on urban populations; Growth of Cities; Movement of peoples
  • Famine - Ireland and France
  • Age of Exploration - the search for new resources and valuable commodities
  • Britain as a world power; British stratified society and attitudes; Educational, political and legal systems; Social issues; Establishing resource security by claiming other lands.
  • Populations in which it was common to be lacking education and literacy. 
  • A common belief that people would do whatever it took to survive, including dominating others and dominating the environment they found themselves in.