E22: Manifest Destiny - Down Under
From Political History of Australia by John Ruddick
April 8, 2026 · 51 min · Season 1 · Episode 22
About this episode
This episode discusses the British claim over Australia and the process of colonial expansion driven by fear of France.
In 1788 Governor Arthur Phillip had proclaimed that the British Empire was now in charge of two-thirds of a continent. It was an audacious claim for a little speck of 1,500 souls. They did quickly build a second settlement on Norfolk Island because London had said it was a priority … but for the next 14 years there would be no more settlements. The process of continental expansion began with a burst in 1802 and it was driven by fear of France staking a claim on this continent. By 1829, the British flag and only the British flag was flying coast to coast. Australians have achieved Manifest Destiny Down Under just as Americans were embracing that The expansion began in the Bass Strait on King Island in late 1802. It was at face value a comical Possession Ceremony but it was a claim underwritten by the British Empire at its peak. Governor King was a poor domestic leader but he was the man that got the process underway that confirmed that Australia only had room for one newcomer. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Please leave a comment, share and rate the show ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Also listen and subscribe at…
People in this episode
Host: John Ruddick
Topics covered
- Australian history
- British Empire
- colonial expansion
- Manifest Destiny
- Governor Arthur Phillip
- Governor King
Keywords
- Manifest Destiny
- British Empire
- Australia
- colonial expansion
- Governor Arthur Phillip
- Governor King
- Norfolk Island
- Bass Strait
- King Island
Mentioned in this episode
Places: Australia, British Empire, Norfolk Island, Bass Strait, King Island
More episodes of Political History of Australia
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- E28: The Day of the Rum Rebellion · May 20, 2026 · 59 min
- E27: Road to the Rum Rebellion · May 13, 2026 · 47 min
- E26: Governor Bligh Arrives on a Warpath · May 6, 2026 · 37 min
- E25: How the 'Mutiny on the Bounty' Remade Australia · April 29, 2026 · 40 min
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