An Analysis of "Documents" in The Founding of Australia
Instructions for a convict colony at Botany Bay presumed it would be both a jail and free. Within this settlement, the Government hoped to instill a notion of brotherhood, by which the settlers-convicts and government officials included-would work together to support each other's preservation, simultaneous with conditions of dictatorial benevolence, a product of the Enlightenment sentiment prevalent in eighteenth century Europe. With these principles in mind, the Government aimed to produce distinctive relations between the settlers and the state, all the while, perpetuating traditional mercantilist goals for the promotion of the British common wealth and welfare. [-1: The "Documents" in The Founding of Australia referred to the British government system in form of proper noun: "Government". For the sake of consistency, I will refer to it as that.][0: Patricia O'Brien, "The Early Colony," Lecture delivered in HIST101-01 Australia and the Asia Pacific, Georgetown University, September 17, 2013.
Blue plaque for Captain James Cook located on the ...
Official portrait of Captain James Cook
English: Sydney Harbour Bridge from Circular Quay,...]
In reading the Documents from The Founding of Australia, British motivations for colonial expansion in Australia become more lucid. The founding of this Pacific landmass was purposed for the reinstallation, fortification, and security of British hegemony within the growing global landscape of the time. Although city planning with respect to the dilemma of overcrowding was at the top issue for the Government, growing economic and security concerns lagged not too far behind as key driving forces for the colonization of Australia. After several takes of the "Documents", I have culminated with the rationale of growth and stability as the ultimate goals for Great Britain's Pacific expansion.[-1: a result of increased population from return of displaced American loyalist, increased poor urban dwellers and squatters, and most importantly, the excess of convicted felon ]
James Matra opens the dialogue with a primary interest in Australia...