Reference to the industrial revolution and the social conditions in country of origin that lead to conviction and transportation?
During the industrial revolution technology took over labour jobs and forced workers into poverty, homelessness and vagrancy. This became a massive problem and when people didn’t have enough money they turned to crime. As you can see it was easier to steal something when you have no money. 160 different crimes were sentenced to death, soon death wasn’t the option and transportation to Australia was best to use. Sentences from 7 years to life were given to the convicts. Transportation also became quite common as hulks caused many riots and prisons were overflowing. Transportation is the best option it isolated them from to general public and also made a space for them to settle the country. |
The daily life of a female convict (general). What did she do all day?
The transportation of convicts lasted for about 80 years. This was one of the founding of Australia and our urban existence. Over many decades working conditions, rights and the need for different resources changed. Each convict had a different skill to bring and depending on the person they worked for their daily life would change. Throughout all this a female’s daily life changed. Female convicts were mostly known to be confined to factories but other jobs on offer during the convict times were a blacksmith, shingle-maker and a stonemason. Although it was rear for females to have jobs as men we’re seen to be more capable. Everyday they’d work extra hard, they we’re to obey strict day to day rules. Ringing to the bell in the morning, told them when to get up, when to eat their meals and when to go to their beds at night. It also let them know when to assemble in the courtyard for daily inspection before they head off to work.
The transportation of convicts lasted for about 80 years. This was one of the founding of Australia and our urban existence. Over many decades working conditions, rights and the need for different resources changed. Each convict had a different skill to bring and depending on the person they worked for their daily life would change. Throughout all this a female’s daily life changed. Female convicts were mostly known to be confined to factories but other jobs on offer during the convict times were a blacksmith, shingle-maker and a stonemason. Although it was rear for females to have jobs as men we’re seen to be more capable. Everyday they’d work extra hard, they we’re to obey strict day to day rules. Ringing to the bell in the morning, told them when to get up, when to eat their meals and when to go to their beds at night. It also let them know when to assemble in the courtyard for daily inspection before they head off to work.
What were the conditions like in the colony on arrival?
After the fleet reached Botany Bay 200 of the male convicts were set to work, cleaning and preparing the foreshore. They then started constructing huts. Whilst the males we’re working the females we’re left to look after themselves. They only had a limited number of ration of salted meat, rotten butter and shellfish. Ruth along with all the other convicts were in harsh conditions, 94 convicts fell seriously ill within the first 6 months of arrival. Ruth passed away on the 5th of June 1788 she was buried along the shoreline and died less than two years into her sentence. |