Australia’s journey from a British penal colony to a thriving first-world nation is a remarkable testament to its historical evolution. Initially, it was established as a British penal colony but it evolved into a sovereign nation with its own identity and status as a first-world country.
Britain’s first penal colony
In the late 18th century, the British Empire used Australia as a place to send convicts as a solution to overcrowded prisons in Britain. The first penal colony, New South Wales, was established in 1788 in what is now Sydney.
However, over time, free settlers and immigrants began to arrive, leading to the development of towns, agriculture, and industries. The discovery of gold in the mid-19th century further spurred economic growth and attracted more migrants.
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Australia gradually gained more self-governance and autonomy from Britain through a series of constitutional and political changes. The Commonwealth of Australia was officially formed on January 1, 1901, uniting the separate colonies into a single nation.
Since then, Australia has developed into a modern, developed, and culturally diverse country, distinct from its origins as a British penal colony.
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