Backbencher

The 4th lecture talked about the settlement of Australia and New Zealand. The first settlement of Australia was based on the need of the British to send convicts out of their country. The British saw Australia as a place were felons would be isolated and would no longer be able to degrade English society. I have to wonder to myself, what our society would be like if there was a continent seemingly worlds away where American convicts could be sent. I definitely think that the British had something going for them in this respect. I know it sounds harsh, but looking at the people of both Britain and Australia today, we see that both countries have remarkable societies that are thriving and have been quite successful over the years. After all, how does one survive on an island full of felons, murderers, and thieves?
In contrast, Edward Wakefield had a different outlook for the planned colonization of New Zealand altogether. He believed that this new country should be populated with the most socially elite. Wealthy landowners were sent to take up residence in New Zealand, but only small amounts of land were able to be purchased at a time, in order to prevent one person from becoming too powerful. I found this to be a good idea as well. Unfortunately, a major gold rush lead to the influx of some highly “undesirable” characters, at least in the eyes of Wakefield.
In my opinion, I see both of these motives as effective. Australia and New Zealand are now inhabited by people who have a strong tie to their personal history. They are civil, law-abiding, socially developed citizens. Their governments also seem to be functioning much more efficiently than our own. I mean no disrespect to the American government, but looking at the culture and history of the two countries, I think that Australians and New Zealanders are fortunate that Americans didn’t settle there first.