736 convicts sent
from England to Australia landed in Botany Bay. 50,000 criminals were transported
in this way over the next 60 years. The
strategy resulted from the belief by the ruling classes in England at the time,
that criminals could not be rehabilitated, and thus must be kept apart from the
rest of the population. But those sent to Australia were hardly hardened troublemakers,
with one 70 year old who stole cheese to eat, being sent. |