What type of people were the first British colonist in Australia?

The First Fleet of British ships arrived in Botany Bay Australia in January 1788, carrying mainly convicts. Most were English, many were Irish, and a small number were from Scotland and Wales.

The convicts came from a wide range of backgrounds. Some had been hardened criminals, while others were petty criminals or even people who had been wrongly accused. Some were from wealthy families, while others were from poverty-stricken backgrounds.

The convicts were transported to Australia as a form of punishment. The British government believed that transportation was a more humane alternative to the death penalty, and it also provided a way to populate the new colony. The vast majority of convicts were men. However, there were also many women and children on board the First Fleet.

The voyage to Australia was long and arduous. It took around six months to travel from England to Australia. During the voyage, many of the convicts died from disease or malnutrition. The convicts who survived the voyage faced harsh conditions in Australia. They were forced to work long hours in dangerous jobs. They also lived in squalid conditions and were often subjected to brutal punishments.

Despite the hardships they faced, many of the convicts eventually went on to make a new life for themselves in Australia. They became farmers, tradespeople, and even government officials. Their descendants still live in Australia today.