For about 40 years the region around Sydney and the Tasmania Island were the only parts of Australia, which were colonized. On the fifth continent landed about 160 000 conviets. The convict systém lasted till 1866, when it was officially abolished in the last colony in Australia – in western Australia.In London the Royal Family awaited that, the New South Wales will be a strong, rich and independet /in economy/ colony. Well, it wasn´t so easy and till 1790 the agriculture in Australia had to be supported from London. After 1790 came the first positive results and to Australia were coming more and more people from the whole world.
When farmer Edward Hargraves in 1851 found the first peace of gold in Bathurst near Sydney, the gold rush in Australia very quickly started. The other deposits of gold were found in Ballart and Bendigo, in the state of Victoria and later in 1890s in Coolgardie and Karlgoorlie in Western Australia. This foundations contributed to the exploration as well as to the economic and constitutional growth of Australia. So did the pioneer work of the „overlands“ – the Australian drivers in the 19th century who opened up new territory by driving their cattle throuth remote areas to new stations, or to market, before the establishment of regular stock routes.
The idea of independence appeared as early as in the first half of the 19th century. Things of common interest to the colonies were discussed irregulary and it was not until 1891 that the proposition of a federal constitution was made. This document led the British Parliament to agree with the constitutional law and on September 17, 1900, Queen Victoria proclaimed the Commonwealth of Australia to be recognized from January 1, 1901.
One of the first problems solved by the Federal Parliament was its own seat – according to the constitution it was Melbourne, but in 1911 a place for a new seat was chosen and in 1927 the Parliament started to work in Canberra. Another important law – the Immigration Restriction Act (1901) – proclaimed the White Australia Immigration Policy and every immigrant had to prove knowledge of some European language in a written test. It was guilty more as 50 years, but nowdays, when Australia is in contact also with well-developed Asian countries, is the written test no more required. The role of the Federal Parliament increased.
Australia played an important role in bolt World Wars. After World War I. Australia had strongly devolved economy, mainly its industry, on the other hand it owned much money, mainly to Britain.