Backbencher

Lecture 4 was titled Settlement: Convicts and Pilgrims. Mythistory was introduced, which incorporates old myths that have been turned into history, and also historians who are also the myth-makers.
Transportation was a big topic in this lecture, coming to and from Australia/New Zealand. Transportation to America was actually suspended for some time. Convicts were being brought to Australia by the shiploads and many people were very disgruntled about this. When they say convicts we would normally think of people charged with murder, arson, high end theft; but the convicts being brought to Australia were political dissidents (Irish republicans, Luddites, Canadian Revolutionaries), petty criminals, and basically people that just didn't go along with what the British wanted. The three convict colonies that were established were New South Wales in 1788, Van Dieman's Land in 1812, and Western Australia in 1829.
Colonization then started in New Zealand and Australia. Edward Gibbon Wakefield played a big role in the systematic colonization of N.Z. Planned colonization would allow for only small parcels of land for settlers with land being sold at a sufficient price. The land sales would then go to fund more immigrants of good character. Gold was then discovered and the rushes to Otago and westland produced an unplanned growth.
I really found the section about the convicts very interesting. I think I remember either hearing in lecture or reading this in Clark, that the convicts were able to become successful themselves. My question would be how was this possible? If someone was brought to an island as a convict for work wouldn't they be somewhat monitored?