The Convicts Lesson Focus: You will learn why convicts were sent to Australia and how they responded to their a Fen eA ee PO ENGLAND experienced a population boom in the 1700s. Wages were low and unemployment was high. Some people stole basic items to survive. If they were caught, they were sentenced to jail, death > or transportation. The jails were extremely overcrowded, so some longer sentences were changed to transportation. Transportation to colonies outside of Britain was an important part of the penal system. The journey to the new colony took several months and conditions were extremely harsh. After some time, free settlers were encouraged to immigrate to Australia. They were promised free land and cheap labour. Pretty soon there were more free settlers than there were convicts. rk Food Wicts worked at a variety of occupations, Some There was not a lot of food available in the early .d within the government service while others years of colonisation. Food supplies were limited and ked for free settlers. The work expected of male _the British did not recognise that Australian bush icts was generally harder than that of the female animals could be eaten to supplement their diet. The - cts. Men could work as seamen, labourers, farm new colony was very dependent on supplies being ers, shepherds, bricklayers and on chain gangs —_ brought to Australia from Britain. ing roads. Wornen were often given jobs as estic servants. Convicts were expected to work sunrise until sunset. Convicts were given a set ration of 3 kg beef, 3 kg of flour, 1.3 kg of maize meal and 0.9 kg of sugar per week. Fresh vegetables were only supplied ‘occasionally. Women convicts were not given the full ration and there were no checks made to ensure that free settlers were giving their convicts the correct ration Escape and rebellion Many convicts tried to escape. Many failed and, if caught, were punished, executed or sent to penal settlements. Some succeeded by stowing away on whaling and sealing boats. Some convicts became bushrangers and moved in well-organised gangs. Their crimes included stock theft, robbery of banks and mail coaches and murdering policemen Bushrangers represented the hatred for authority, its rules and regulations. Some famous bushrangers were: Jack Donahoe, Mad Dog Morgan, Ned Kelly and Captain Thunderbolt. Pardons Wicts who arrived.in Australia were assigned to Pardons could also be issued to convicts. They were ation gangs for two years. After that time they either given an absolute pardon, which allowed them ‘allowed to work for free settlers for wages. Part of to return to Britain, if they wished; or they were given a “their wages were saved for them, while they were free conditional pardon, which meant they could not return “tospend the other part on anything they wished. Ifthe to Britain. cts continued with good behaviour, they were a ticket-of-leave, which gave them considerable dom. Some convicts were given free plots of land to get started. Most worked hard and made a success of their land. Life in Australia was hard for the convicts. Some thought the convicts in Australia had a better chance than those who were jailed in Britain. Some masters and punishments were extremely cruel, much more so than the punishment in Britain at the same time tralia “etish Arrival in Australia 2 I. Publications