# First Fleet sails for Australia (1787)

URL: https://english-history.com/timeline/1787-first-fleet-sails-for-australia
Categories: main-event

Britain dispatched convicts and officials to establish a penal colony in New South Wales. Within the broader Georgian Britain period, parliamentary government, industrialization, imperial expansion, war with France and political reform turned Britain into a global commercial and military power. This event is placed at 1787 in the chronology so it can be read alongside the political, military, social and cultural changes around it. The expedition began permanent British colonization of Australia.

## Why it matters
The expedition began permanent British colonization of Australia.

Ruler at the time: [George III](https://english-history.com/rulers/george-iii)

## Sources
- [Wikipedia topic lookup — First Fleet sails for Australia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:Search?search=First+Fleet+sails+for+Australia&go=Go)
- [Encyclopaedia Britannica topic lookup — First Fleet sails for Australia](https://www.britannica.com/search?query=First+Fleet+sails+for+Australia)
- [Wikipedia — Timeline of British history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_British_history_%281700%E2%80%931799%29)
- [The National Archives — empire and industry resources](https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/education/)