In 1770, with the landing of British navigator Captain James Cook in Australia, the land discovered by the Spanish was colonized by the British. However, Australia's barrenness and lack of water at the time made it incomparable to other British colonies. So the British decided to treat it as a huge prison, exiling various criminals to Australia from 1786 to 1850.
Among these exiled criminals were 24,000 women who were later revered by Australians as the "founding mothers". Why were these women exiled to distant Australia? What is the meaning behind the British approach?
England at the end of the 18th century was a powder keg. The Industrial Revolution and interference in continental affairs brought wealth accumulation, but it was also accompanied by the demise of traditional industries and social unrest. A large number of young and middle-aged people are unemployed, public security has deteriorated, and social unrest has become the norm. The British upper class could not tolerate this situation and decided to exile the prisoners to Australia, because North America had become independent and no longer accepted British criminals.
In 1784, the British Parliament approved the proposal, and two years later, the first prisoners arrived in Australia. The prisoners, totalling 736, were personally escorted by Lieutenant Commander Philip. After a 252-day voyage, only 48 people died on the way, which was a miracle at the time.
However, British law at the time was very strict, and minor crimes such as theft could also be punishable by death. Most death row inmates end up being sent to Australia on charges of exile, where the labour force is severely exploited. Australia's environment is also extremely harsh, with no settlements, prisoners need to build a living from scratch, and in the face of toxic flora and fauna and dry climate, grain harvests often occur.
General Philip, in order to prevent the death of the prisoners, moved them to the more suitable Port Jackson. However, the growing population, the deterioration of social order, and Australia's high crime rate threatened the construction of the colony.
As a result, Governor Philip proposed a plan to bring in more women to alleviate the social problems of male prisoners. The British government approved the plan, and the first 221 female prisoners arrived in Australia in 1789. Most of these women prisoners came from poor areas and experienced difficult voyages, and many women traded with sailors for mutual benefit in order to improve their seafaring lives.
However, upon arrival in Australia, these women prisoners were labelled as criminals, subjected to social discrimination and harsh treatment. Most female prisoners were subjected to forced labor, and only beautiful women were distributed to freemen, while others had to work hard. This oppression of female prisoners has led to a decline in social morality.
The Government began to encourage female prisoners to marry male prisoners, hoping that they would focus on family rather than social issues. However, few men were willing to marry these female prisoners because they considered them depraved prostitutes and thieves. As a result, only a few female prisoners were able to marry, while others continued to work in the service sector to make ends meet.
However, over time, factors such as changes in the structure of the division of labour in society, and the discovery of gold have gradually improved the status of women in Australian society. Laws on the protection of women have been established, and social attention to women's rights and interests has increased. Australia gradually integrated into the land, no longer seeing itself as a British immigrant, but as a native Australian.
Australians have taken radical steps to protect women's rights, enacting strict laws to protect women's position in society. This can be seen as a solace for the suffering of the founding mothers more than 200 years ago. Today's Australia accepts this history and no longer sees these women as criminals, but as victims of their time, who made great sacrifices in the wilderness and contributed to the construction of Australia.
While this history is fraught with misfortune and discrimination, it also reflects the peculiarities of the times
Australia, once a desolate land of British exiles, has flourished into a wealthy modern country. However, the country's roots are deeply rooted in the female prisoners known as the "founding mothers." These women, despite the inhuman treatment and injustice, their perseverance and tenacity have made Australia prosperous today.
Looking back at history, we can see how these "founding mothers" struggled to survive in extreme circumstances. They not only have to deal with harsh natural conditions, but also endure discrimination and oppression from society. While most are labeled as criminals, many of them are simply forced into exile for poverty, unemployment, or other petty crimes. In British society at the time, even a thief could be sentenced to death. So exile to Australia is actually a second chance at their lives.
These female prisoners not only had to make long and difficult voyages on ships, but also to build a home in the Australian wilderness. They build houses, cultivate land and grow crops, often in the face of dangerous wildlife and harsh climates. However, instead of being discouraged, they worked hard with perseverance to build a solid foundation for themselves and future Australian society.
However, the most unacceptable fact is that these female prisoners still suffer discrimination and unfair treatment in Australian society. They are labelled criminals and despised by free people in society. Even at work, they face harsh working conditions and unfair pay. However, it is these injustices that motivate them