Australian Penal Transportation (British Crime and Punishment Part Two)

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On April 29, 1770, a pivotal event unfolded on the shores of Botany Bay, Australia, as two men attempted to thwart the arrival of unfamiliar and unwelcome visitors. Led by Captain James Cook of the British Royal Navy, these interlopers marked the first European landing in Eastern Australia. Little did they know that this momentous incident would have far-reaching consequences, not only for the native Australians but also for people residing 10,000 miles away in Britain.

With the notorious "bloody code" in full force, British citizens faced the death penalty for over 200 offenses, yet executing on such a massive scale proved logistically challenging. Enter Australia, offering a novel solution for the punishment of criminals.

In this compelling episode, we delve into the intriguing history of penal transportation with our guest, historian Brad Manera, Senior Historian and Curator of the Anzac Memorial in Hyde Park, Sydney. Brad was instrumental in co-authoring Australia's UNESCO submission, resulting in the recognition of 11 penal transportation locations as World Heritage sites.

Join us as we explore the origins of Britain's Australian colonies and the profound impact of penal transportation on both sides of the globe.

Music: Pixabay

Picture: A Guard tower at Port Arthur Penal colony, Tasmania

Mundoo

Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0

Port Arthur Guard tower.jpg

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