The Botany Bay Debate

The Botany Bay Debate “Evaluate the differing explanations of historians for the British government’s decision to establish a colony in New South Wales.” History is based on historians’ interpretations of sources that remain from that time. First hand testimony and records that give direct access to the past are referred to as primary sources. These sources have not continued to exist by chance. The reason they have survived is that someone deemed them worthy …

…New South Wales, 1 (2) pp. 24-25. ‘Governor Phillip’s Second Commission’ in Historical Records of New South Wales, 1 (2) pp. 61-67. ‘Act of Parliament Establishing the Colony’ in Historical Records of New South Wales, 1 (2) pp. 67-70. ‘Phillip’s Instructions’ in Historical Records of New South Wales, 1 (2) pp. 84-91. ‘Governor Phillip’s First Dispatch to Lord Sydney’ in Historical Records of New South Wales, 1 (2) pp. 121-139. Lecture ‘The Botany Bay Debate’, Dr Lenore Layman, S181 Different Histories, March 6 2000.