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Travel Guide 2   >   Australia   >   History

   
 

Australian History


The first humans are believed to have arrived in Australia over 40,000 years ago. These people arrived via land-bridges and/or sea crossings from Southeast Asia, and became the indigenous people known as "aborigines". An additional and distinct group of early settlers, ethnically Melanesian, settled in the Torres Strait Islands (the Strait between Australia and Papua New Guinea) and the far North of Queensland.

Replica of James Cook's ship, HMB Endeavour, in Cooktown Harbour, 1988 Europeans first began to reach the area at the aroud the beginning of the 17th century. The first undisputed sighting of the Australian mainland was by the Dutch sea captain, William Janszoon in 1606. The Dutch are known to have chartered the western and northern shorelines of the continent during the 17th century, but made no attempt at settlement of what they called at the time "New Holland". In 1770, British navigator, James Cook mapped parts of the East coast of Australia: the region today known as New South Wales. Cook claimed the area for Great Britain.

The first British colony was established in New South Wales on January 26th, a day that is now remembered as "Australia Day". The British formerly claimed the western portions of Australia in 1859, and during the 19th century a whole series of separate British colonies were established around the continent. Much of this British colonization was based upon the transportation of convicts to penal colonies, and it was only in 1848 that the transportation of convicts to New South Wales stopped.

The arrival of Europeans had a drastic effect on the indigenous aboriginal population. This fell dramaticly from a high of 350,000 due to the infectious diseases, forced resettlements, and other factors. Indeed, although the issues remain highly controversial and disputed, some historians have characterized the events of the period as genocide.

In 1850s, the European population increased further thanks to a gold rush, and between 1855 and 1890, each of the six British colonies was separately granted responsible government - while the the colonies were autonomous in their internal affairs, they Britain retained control of foreign affairs and defense. In 1901, the six colonies were united in a federation known as the Commonwealth of Australia.

Australia participated in both World War I and World War II as part of the British Empire. To many Australians the events of the world wars, especially the Gallipoli campaign in World War I, and the Kokoda Track Campaign in World War II, were important milestones in Australia's path to independent nationhood.

Legally, Australia first moved towards independence from Britain with the Statue of Westminister in 1931 (although Australia did not ratify it until 1942, but then back dated its effect to 1939), which granted effective independence in most matters. Australia however did retain some constitutional ties with Britain for another 40 years, these only finally be severed with the passing of the Australia Act in 1986. It should be noted that the British Queen Elizabeth II is also Queen of Australia, and a 1999 national referendum rejected becoming a republic.

Here are some books about the history of Australia:


Books about Australian History


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A Concise History of Australia (Cambridge Concise Histories)

By Stuart Macintyre

Cambridge University Press
Released: December 10th, 2020
Paperback (412 pages)

A Concise History of Australia (Cambridge Concise Histories)
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A Concise History of Australia (Cambridge Concise Histories)
  • Manufacturer: Cambridge University Press
  • Brand: Cambridge University Press
  • ISBN: 1108728480
  • EAN: 9781108728485
  • PartNumber: 9781108728485
Details:
  • Paperback
  • Edition: 5
  • Number of Pages: 412
  • Author: Stuart Macintyre
  • Publication Date: December 10th, 2020
  • Release Date: December 10th, 2020
Physical Description:
  • Size: 8.5 inches by 5.5 inches by 0.93 inches
  • Weight: 1.00089866948 pounds
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The Fatal Shore: The Epic of Australia's Founding

By Robert Hughes

Vintage
Released: February 12th, 1988
Cream Paperback (628 pages)

The Fatal Shore: The Epic of Australia s Founding
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Description:
The Fatal Shore: The Epic of Australia's Founding
  • Manufacturer: Vintage
  • Brand: Vintage
  • Model: 9780394753669
  • ISBN: 0394753666
  • EAN: 9780394753669
  • PartNumber: 9780394753669
Details:
  • Paperback
  • Format: Unabridged
  • Edition: Illustrated
  • Number of Pages: 628
  • Author: Robert Hughes
  • Publication Date: February 12th, 1988
  • Release Date: February 12th, 1988
Physical Description:
  • Size: 7.93 Inches by 5.25 Inches by 1.61 Inches
  • Weight: 1.4991433816 pounds
  • Color: Cream
Features:
  • Robert Hughes, The Fatal Shore: The Epic of Australia's Founding, paperback
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History of Australia: A Captivating Guide to Australian History, Starting from the Aborigines Through the Dutch East India Company, James Cook, and World War II to the Present (Australasia)

By Captivating History

Captivating History
Released: April 2nd, 2022
Paperback (128 pages)

History of Australia: A Captivating Guide to Australian History, Starting from the Aborigines Through the Dutch East India Company, James Cook, and World War II to the Present (Australasia)
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Description:
History of Australia: A Captivating Guide to Australian History, Starting from the Aborigines Through the Dutch East India Company, James Cook, and World War II to the Present (Australasia)
  • Manufacturer: Captivating History
  • ISBN: 1637166095
  • EAN: 9781637166093
Details:
  • Paperback
  • Number of Pages: 128
  • Author: Captivating History
  • Publication Date: April 2nd, 2022
  • Release Date: April 2nd, 2022
Physical Description:
  • Size: 9.0 inches by 6.0 inches by 0.29 inches
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Australia: History of Australia: Discover the major events that shaped the history of Australia

By James Walker

Independently Published
Released: September 13th, 2018
Paperback (184 pages)

Australia: History of Australia: Discover the major events that shaped the history of Australia
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Description:
Australia: History of Australia: Discover the major events that shaped the history of Australia
  • Manufacturer: Independently published
  • Brand: Independently Published
  • ISBN: 1720287872
  • EAN: 9781720287872
Details:
  • Paperback
  • Number of Pages: 184
  • Author: James Walker
  • Publication Date: September 13th, 2018
  • Release Date: September 13th, 2018
Physical Description:
  • Size: 9.0 inches by 6.0 inches by 0.46 inches
  • Weight: 0.62 pounds
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Australian History For Dummies

By Alex McDermott

For Dummies
Released: May 9th, 2022
Paperback (496 pages)

Australian History For Dummies
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Australian History For Dummies
  • Manufacturer: For Dummies
  • Brand: For Dummies
  • ISBN: 0730395456
  • EAN: 9780730395454
Details:
  • Paperback
  • Edition: 2
  • Number of Pages: 496
  • Author: Alex McDermott
  • Publication Date: May 9th, 2022
  • Release Date: May 9th, 2022
Physical Description:
  • Size: 9.098407 inches by 7.299198 inches by 1.200785 inches
  • Weight: 2.314853751 pounds
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A Shorter History of Australia: Further Revised & Updated

By Geoffrey Blainey

Random House Australia
Released: October 1st, 2014
Paperback (352 pages)

A Shorter History of Australia: Further Revised & Updated
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A Shorter History of Australia: Further Revised & Updated
  • Manufacturer: Vintage Australia
  • Brand: Random House Australia
  • ISBNs: 0857984381, 9780857984388
  • EAN: 9780857984388
  • PartNumber: 9780857984388
Details:
  • Paperback
  • Edition: Updated
  • Number of Pages: 352
  • Author: Geoffrey Blainey
  • Publication Date: October 1st, 2014
  • Release Date: October 1st, 2014
Physical Description:
  • Size: 8.0 inches by 5.0 inches by 1.0 inches
  • Weight: 0.6 Pounds
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The Original Australians: Story of the Aboriginal People

By Josephine Flood

Allen & Unwin
Released: October 1st, 2019
Paperback (432 pages)

The Original Australians: Story of the Aboriginal People
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The Original Australians: Story of the Aboriginal People
  • Manufacturer: Allen & Unwin
  • Brand: Allen & Unwin
  • ISBN: 1760527076
  • EAN: 9781760527075
  • PartNumber: 9781760527075
Details:
  • Paperback
  • Edition: Second edition
  • Number of Pages: 432
  • Author: Josephine Flood
  • Publication Date: October 1st, 2019
  • Release Date: October 1st, 2019
Physical Description:
  • Size: 9.25 inches by 6.0 inches by 1.4 inches
  • Weight: 1.34922904344 pounds
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The Future Eaters: An Ecological History of the Australasian Lands and People

By Tim Flannery

Grove Press
Released: October 16th, 2002
Paperback (432 pages)

The Future Eaters: An Ecological History of the Australasian Lands and People
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The Future Eaters: An Ecological History of the Australasian Lands and People
  • Manufacturer: Grove Press
  • Brand: Grove Press
  • ISBNs: 0802139434, 9780802139436
  • EAN: 9780802139436
  • PartNumber: illustrations, maps
Details:
  • Paperback
  • Edition: First Grove Press Ed
  • Number of Pages: 432
  • Author: Tim Flannery
  • Publication Date: October 16th, 2002
  • Release Date: October 16th, 2002
Physical Description:
  • Size: 9.0 inches by 6.0 inches by 1.0 inches
  • Weight: 1.3999353637 pounds
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The Biggest Estate on Earth: How Aborigines Made Australia

By Bill Gammage

Allen Unwin Australia
Released: April 1st, 2013
Paperback (384 pages)

The Biggest Estate on Earth: How Aborigines Made Australia
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The Biggest Estate on Earth: How Aborigines Made Australia
  • Manufacturer: Allen & Unwin
  • Brand: Allen Unwin Australia
  • ISBN: 174331132X
  • EAN: 9781743311325
  • PartNumber: illustrations
Details:
  • Paperback
  • Edition: Reprint
  • Number of Pages: 384
  • Author: Bill Gammage
  • Publication Date: April 1st, 2013
  • Release Date: April 1st, 2013
Physical Description:
  • Size: 9.5 inches by 6.5 inches by 1.1 inches
  • Weight: 2.29942139266 pounds
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Australian Mythology: Captivating Dreamtime Stories of Indigenous Australians

By Matt Clayton

Independently Published
Released: February 2nd, 2020
Paperback (96 pages)

Australian Mythology: Captivating Dreamtime Stories of Indigenous Australians
Lowest New Price: $13.34*
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Description:
Australian Mythology: Captivating Dreamtime Stories of Indigenous Australians
  • Manufacturer: Independently published
  • Brand: Independently Published
  • EAN: 9798608015298
  • PartNumber: 9798608015298
Details:
  • Paperback
  • Number of Pages: 96
  • Author: Matt Clayton
  • Publication Date: February 2nd, 2020
  • Release Date: February 2nd, 2020
Physical Description:
  • Size: 9.0 inches by 6.0 inches by 0.24 inches
  • Weight: 0.34 pounds
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