FIRST CONTACT:
On January 26 1788, a fleet of eleven ships, known as the First Fleet, arrived at an Australian port, Port Jackson (which today is generally called Sydney Harbor). The fleet, which was captained by Arthur Phillip, arrived with approximately 1500 people who were going to settle on this new land. Half of these people were criminals (convicts) sent to Australia to ease the prison system in Britain.
The settlers encountered the Indigenous communities, who tried to resist these strangers to their land. They used their spears to try and frighten the English, but the English had guns and were able to scare the Indigenous people away.
The relationship between the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and the Europeans in Australia was both good and bad during settlement. Their differences made it difficult for each group to understand the other, culturally and spiritually. A lack of common lifestyle elements and the inability to verbally communicate meant that issues arose. These issues often resulted in violent conflicts.
The settlers encountered the Indigenous communities, who tried to resist these strangers to their land. They used their spears to try and frighten the English, but the English had guns and were able to scare the Indigenous people away.
The relationship between the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and the Europeans in Australia was both good and bad during settlement. Their differences made it difficult for each group to understand the other, culturally and spiritually. A lack of common lifestyle elements and the inability to verbally communicate meant that issues arose. These issues often resulted in violent conflicts.
SETTLEMENTS:
Conflict between the Indigenous people and the English continued as the visitors took over more and more land for farming and settlements. The Indigenous people's strong connection with the land was being disrespected as the English used it for their own needs. Many Indigenous people were killed by the new settlers and many more were forced off their ancestral land and became displaced.