Why Were Convicts Sent to Australia? Reading

Overview:

This reading sheet explores the reasons why convicts were sent to Australia, covering factors such as the Industrial Revolution, overcrowded prisons, and other social conditions. Suitable for middle and upper years students.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand the key reasons convicts were sent to Australia during the colonial era.
• Develop reading comprehension skills through historical analysis.
• Explore the social, economic, and political factors that led to the transportation of convicts.

How the Activity Works:

Students read a passage detailing the causes behind the transportation of convicts to Australia, including the increase in crime driven by the Industrial Revolution, the overcrowding of prisons in Britain and the search for new penal colonies. After reading, students can discuss or answer comprehension questions to deepen their understanding of why Australia became a destination for British convicts. This activity provides insights into the broader historical context of Australia’s early settlement.

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