Originally Posted by
John Citizen
Australia was seen as "terra nullius" (nobody's land) back then. Nobody invaded anything. Unsettled land was colonised
The first fleet was mostly convicts (over 700 convicts, or over 50%) who came to set up a penal colony. There were only about 300 officers onboard (to look after the convicts no doubt, and not to fight a war).
I don't believe they would be dragging with them over 700 convicts and only 300 officers if they were going to invade anyone (fight battles/go to war).
Out of the 11 ships in the first fleet, 6 were convict transports. Since when do you use so many convicts/convict ships to invade ?
It doesn't sound like an invasion to me.
Again pretty much like the pilgrims in America. Look at the native Indians and just think they are unintelligent savages so they have the right to take anything.
Best to think the “civilised” world back then weren’t so civilised. Just about the money and power.