Backbencher

In lecture four we discussed the mythistory of Australia and New Zealand, the convict transportation and settlement of Australia, and the planned settlement of New Zealand. The first fleet with Arthur Phillip and Botany Bay were both covered, along with the growing settlements eventually leading to the end of transportation. The planned colonization of New Zealand was a much different story though. The land was sold and farm workers were brought in to work the land. They were trying to build a "cultured class of landowners, with strong institutions." However, their planned perfect society was soon tainted at the first word of gold and unwanted arrivals to the island. Today however, New Zealanders are still upheld as more English than the English.

I particularly liked the dysfunction or unconventional upbringing of Australia. The convicts drunkenly running the land and the Imperialists trying to uphold the laws, but soon finding some of the soldiers giving up on that idea as well. Soon after there would be the next generation of Australians and they would take pride in their convict heritage, as opposed to New Zealand where that wouldn't have been looked as highly upon. Comparatively, I thought that the settlement of New Zealand was rather boring after hearing about Australia, but maybe that's just because I'm an American.

Talbott Pollert