Tasmania v. British Empire

A David and Goliath story. Colonists who wanted no more British convicts were up against the might of the British Empire, which was supremely indifferent to the wishes of a group of despised colonists at the far end of the world.

Governor Denison used whatever means he could to sience them: threats, intimidation, lies, force, mob violence. Besides, they knew that the question was decided in London, not Hobart. The only tools the colonists had were mass support, persistence and – their winner – the ability to influence British voters by uniting all colonies behind Tasmania and publiciing the justice of their cause. This was the beginning of Australian nationalist. 

As more recent events have shown – battles to save the Franklin River, to decriminalise homosexuality – bureaucrqcy cannot remain impervious to pressure from those who stand up for their beliefs.

A fascinating political story with excursions into fascinating byways: Tasmanian exhibits for the 1851 Great Exhibition, the Anglican embezzling priest transported to the island ..