This course will trace the history of the six Australian colonies during the nineteenth century and examine the nature of the social and political relations during that settlement and its impact on the Aboriginal people. Further analysis will be given to how the Australians perceived their role in the context of the 19th century British Empire; the evolution of pastoral and manufacturing industries and the importance of economic protectionism; the development of the Australian social classes; the emergence of political structures, the nature of urban development and the progress towards the establishment of the Australian federation.