A landmark account of early Australian settlement and the development of democracy. The second of three volumes in the award-winning series The Europeans in Australia, this volume explores the period from around 1815 to the early 1870s, focusing on the social, political, and cultural transformations that shaped the nation.By exploring the nineteenth-century ‘communications revolution,’ Atkinson sheds new light on how Australia found its place in a ‘global’ world. This volume delves into the complexities of immigration, the convict system, and the evolving relationship between settlers and Aborigines. It is a compelling exploration of power, justice, and conscience in the making of a nation. Ideal for scholars, students, and anyone fascinated by Australian history and colonial studies.