There are many factors attributed to the colonisation of Australia as the setting up colonies were expensive and were to be reviewed carefully by the government in consideration. With the American Revolution in mind, many saw colonies to bring in no profit while they were struggling, and when they became prosperous they rebelled.
The proposal to colonise Australia was rejected in 1784 on basis that it would too expensive to set up and govern. The cost to transport for each person to Australia about 30 pounds, which was six times the cost of passage to America. However, just one year later, on 18th August1786, Botany Bay was chosen as the site.
Perhaps the most obvious reason for the colonisation of Australia was the bursting prisons. This problem was solved before by transporting the prisoners to American Colonies for cheap labour. However, in 1776, the Americans revolted and refused to take any more convicts. This created a bottle neck as there were over 1,000 prisoners accumulating in the prisons each year. They were often the victims of the laws, (which protected the rich), as many had no choice but to steal to survive. There were over 200 crimes punishable by death for stealing or damaging property.
The prisons were so full that the British Government were forced to use halks, or old ships to hold prisoners. The hygiene & standards of living in these hulks were frightening. So on 18th August1786, the British government decided to set up a penal colony in New Holland. It was their way of getting rid of an unwanted part of society, with little chance of their return. This is reflected in the British government's stance that when offenders were transported, they were considered legally dead.
There was a steady increase of population in Britain in the 18th century and changes in farming methods created less need for farmers and labours in the country side. To earn a living people were forced to look for jobs in the city and if could not find a job at a local factory; they would be forced to steal from the rich and wealth or stave.
