Why Were Convicts Sent to Australia? Cause & Effect

Overview:

This cause-and-effect activity helps students understand the reasons why convicts were sent to Australia, highlighting key historical events and their consequences. Suitable for middle and upper years students.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify the cause-and-effect relationships in the transportation of convicts to Australia.
• Develop critical thinking skills by analysing historical texts.
• Understand the social, economic, and political factors that led to convict transportation.

How the Activity Works:

Students read a passage explaining the reasons convicts were sent to Australia. They are asked to identify the causes (e.g., overcrowded prisons, rising crime) and their effects (e.g., the need for a penal colony, the decision to send convicts to Australia). This activity helps students connect historical events and better understand the broader context of convict transportation.

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