TEACHER RESOURCE THE AUSTRALIAN COLONIES

Colonial Western Australian History

Study of the Swan River Colony 1827 to 1890s
TEACHER RESOURCES 2
A COLONIAL SETTLEMENT: PUSH PULL FACTORS OF MIGRATION
The chart summarises some of the reasons that pushed and pulled British people to the
Swan River Colony at the end of the 1820s and into the 1830s.
WHAT PUSHED PEOPLE TO EMIGRATE FROM BRITAIN AND EUROPE?

Many army and naval personnel were retired on half pay at the conclusion of the
Napoleonic Wars in 1815. There were very few prospects of promotion for these
officers in a dwindling profession.

Many younger sons of wealthy rural families did not have the opportunity to establish
farms because of the inheritance laws. Oldest sons inherited family land through
Primogeniture. But many younger sons wanted to be landed gentry.

Prices received for farm produce in Britain were falling during the 1820s while taxes
and other costs were increasing. A rural recession was causing uncertainty among
many farmers with small plots.

The Industrial Revolution and associated population increase meant crime and
pollution were serious problems for some people.

WHAT PULLED PEOPLE TO MIGRATE TO THE SWAN RIVER COLONY?

Swan River was to be the first agricultural colony established in the British Empire for
over one hundred years. It was to be free of the taint of convicts and was advertised
as a society of families. ( Bolton, p 9)

Regulations for the Guidance of those who may propose to Embark as settlers for
the new settlement on the Western Coast of New Holland, released in January
1829, offered grants of land to prospective settlers. The rates were reasonable: 40
acres (16.2 ha) were granted free to the settler for each 3 invested (in cash or
goods) and 200 acres for every labourer brought to the colony. Improvements were
to be made on the land before the grant was finalised.

There was a lot of publicity about the new colony by land speculators, merchants,
shipowners and agents who aimed to profit from the colony. They used the limited
information from Stirling but often exaggerated and distorted the facts. There was
emphasis on the cheapness of land, excellent living conditions, fertile land and
superb weather. Competitive for passengers and people to join land syndicates, the

National Trust of Australia (WA)

propaganda developed into Swan River Mania where many people became excited
by the prospect of living in this most respectable colony.

The new colony offered opportunities for promotion and a chance to start a new life.
This was true for early colonist John Septimus Roe who wanted to leave his naval
career and become a landowner and Surveyor General in the new colony. John
Burdett Wittenoom had tragically lost his wife and changed his career as a school
master to begin a new life with his motherless sons as the new Colonial Chaplain.

Some settlers who were planning to travel to NSW or Van Diemens Land decided to
immigrate to the Swan River because of cheaper land and the absence of convicts.

National Trust of Australia (WA)