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| '''Transportation''' or penal transportation is used to refer to the ] of ]ed ]s to a ], for example by ] to ] and by the ] (then including ]) to colonies in the ] from 1620s to 1770s and ] in the early 1800s. It can also be used generally to describe such activities. | '''Transportation''' or penal transportation is used to refer to the ] of ]ed ]s to a ], for example by ] to ] and by the ] (then including ]) to colonies in the ] from 1620s to 1770s and ] in the early 1800s. It can also be used generally to describe such activities. | ||
| Although transportation was officially abolished by the British regime in 1868, it continues in instances such as ] and the ] <ref>"Australia Locked Up", written and illustrated by ] has a section entitled "Pacific Solution: Transportation returns" where he discusses the Christmas Island incident of August 2001.</ref> | |||
| == Overview == | == Overview == | ||
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| In British colonial ], ]s were transported to the ] in the ]. | In British colonial ], ]s were transported to the ] in the ]. | ||
| For contemporary transportation of prisoners by the USA see ] | |||
| ==British transportation to Australia== | ==British transportation to Australia== | ||
| {{main|Convictism in Australia}} | {{main|Convictism in Australia}} | ||
| In ], the "]" departed from England, to found the first ] in ], as a penal colony. The Fleet's arrival at ], on ], ] (now ]) is considered the founding event in the history of ], as well as ] and modern Australia in general. In 1803, ] (Tasmania) was also settled as a penal colony, followed by the ] (Queensland) in 1824. The other ] were "free settlements", as non-convict colonies were known. However, ] adopted transportation in 1851, to resolve a long-standing ]. Until the massive influx of free immigrants during the ] of the ], the settler population was dominated by convicts and their descendants. Transportation continued until 1868, when it was terminated in Western Australia. | In ], the "]" departed from England, to found the first ] in ], as a penal colony. The Fleet's arrival at ], on ], ] (now ]) is considered the founding event in the history of ], as well as ] and modern Australia in general. In 1803, ] (Tasmania) was also settled as a penal colony, followed by the ] (Queensland) in 1824. The other ] were "free settlements", as non-convict colonies were known. However, ] adopted transportation in 1851, to resolve a long-standing ]. Until the massive influx of free immigrants during the ] of the ], the settler population was dominated by convicts and their descendants. Transportation continued until 1868, when it was terminated in Western Australia. | ||
| {{sectstub}} | {{sectstub}} | ||
Revision as of 02:04, 13 October 2007
For other uses see Transport (disambiguation) or Transportation (disambiguation).
Transportation or penal transportation is used to refer to the deporting of convicted criminals to a penal colony, for example by France to Devil's Island and by the United Kingdom (then including Ireland) to colonies in the Americas from 1620s to 1770s and New South Wales in the early 1800s. It can also be used generally to describe such activities.
Although transportation was officially abolished by the British regime in 1868, it continues in instances such as Guantanamo Bay and the Pacific Solution
Overview
A sentence of transportation could apply for life or for a specific period of time. The penal system required the convicts to work, either on government projects such as road construction, building works and mining, or assigned to free individuals as a source of unpaid labour. Women were expected to work as domestic servants and farm labourers.
A convict who had served part of his time might apply for a ticket of leave permitting some prescribed freedoms. This enabled some convicts to resume a more normal life, to marry and raise a family, and a few to contribute to the further development of the colonies. Some used the freedom to revert to their previous ways. But exile was an essential component of the punishment. At one time, returning from transportation was a hanging offence.
Transportation punished both major and petty crimes in Great Britain and Ireland from the 17th century until well into the 19th century. At the time it was seen as a more humane alternative to execution, which would most likely have been the sentence handed down to many of those who were transported, if transportation had not been introduced. From the 1620s until the American Revolution the British colonies in North America received transported British criminals, effectively double the period that Australian colonies subsequently received convicts. The American Revolutionary War brought an end to that means of disposal, and with the remaining British colonies in what is now Canada being periously close to the new United States of America sending people who might easily become hostile to British authorities there was not an option. Thus, the British Government was forced to look elsewhere.
The gaols became more overcrowded and dilapidated ships were brought into service, the 'hulks' moored in various ports as floating gaols.
Transportation from Britain ended officially in 1868, although it had become unusual several years earlier.
In British colonial India, freedom fighters were transported to the Cellular Jail in the Andaman islands.
For contemporary transportation of prisoners by the USA see extraordinary rendition
British transportation to Australia
Main article: Convictism in AustraliaIn 1787, the "First Fleet" departed from England, to found the first colony in Australia, as a penal colony. The Fleet's arrival at Port Jackson, on January 26, 1788 (now Australia Day) is considered the founding event in the history of Sydney, as well as New South Wales and modern Australia in general. In 1803, Van Diemen's Land (Tasmania) was also settled as a penal colony, followed by the Moreton Bay Settlement (Queensland) in 1824. The other Australian colonies were "free settlements", as non-convict colonies were known. However, Western Australia adopted transportation in 1851, to resolve a long-standing labour shortage. Until the massive influx of free immigrants during the Australian gold rushes of the 1850s, the settler population was dominated by convicts and their descendants. Transportation continued until 1868, when it was terminated in Western Australia.
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See also
- Banishment
- Deportation
- Devil's Island
- Millbank Prison
- Australian history before 1901
- Convictism in Australia
- Australian penal colonies
References
- "Australia Locked Up", written and illustrated by John Nicholson has a section entitled "Pacific Solution: Transportation returns" where he discusses the Christmas Island incident of August 2001.
- R v Powell, Sixth session Proceedings of the Old Bailey 10th July, 1805 t18050710-23, page 401 (Old Bailey 1805-07-10).
- Pardons & Punishments: Judges Reports on Criminals, 1783 to 1830: HO (Home Office) 47 Volumes 304 and 305, List and Index Society, The National Archives, Kew, Surrey, TW9 4DU.