How did early British colonisation unfold in Tasmania?

The early British colonisation of Tasmania took place between 1803 and 1830, initially operating under the name Van Diemen's Land. During this period, the British Empire annexed the entirety of the island. Events during this colonisation, specifically the Black War, have been described by some as acts of genocide.

What we know

• The British colonisation of Tasmania occurred between 1803 and 1830. [1, 2]
• The island was originally known as Van Diemen's Land before its name was changed to Tasmania upon the granting of self-governance in 1856. [2]
• By the end of the colonisation period in 1830, the British Empire had annexed all of Tasmania. [2]
• Events during the colonisation of Tasmania, particularly the Black War, have been described as acts of genocide, though with varying degrees of acceptance among historians. [3]

Still open

• There are varying degrees of acceptance among historians regarding whether specific events during the colonisation, such as the Black War, constitute acts of genocide.

Where to go next

• how we knowWhat was the Black War in Tasmania?
• whenHow did Van Diemen's Land become Tasmania?
• compared withHow does Tasmania's colonisation compare to South Australia's?
• the bigger pictureHow was the British Empire expanding across mainland Australia at this time?
• what followedWhat events under the British Empire are considered genocide?
• an unexpected connectionHow does colonial history link to merchant navy reforms?While the British Empire expanded its territories in places like Tasmania, sailors like William Clark Russell were simultaneously campaigning against exploitation within the empire's merchant networks.

Sources

• [1]British colonisation of Tasmania (Wikidata Q4971309) · CC0 1.0
• [2]British colonisation of Tasmania · CC BY-SA 4.0
• [3]British genocide · CC BY-SA 4.0
• [4]British colonisation of South Australia · CC BY-SA 4.0
• [5]William Clark Russell · CC BY-SA 4.0