1.1 Introduction

During the nineteenth century the areas of Australia that were colonised by Europeans expanded from one small settlement around Sydney, to occupying all the fertile and watered areas of Australia.

This map of Australia shows in shades of red the extent of the area colonised by Europeans by 1880.

What happened when that spread occurred?

This investigation focuses on four Defining Moments that will help you explore and better understand what happened when European colonisation spread, and why. They all show ways in which conflict occurred. Remember that there were also other types of contact that involved cooperation and accommodation of each other.