History Memes

Relations with indigenous peoples edit

Phillip's official orders with regard to Aboriginal people were to "conciliate their affections", to "live in amity and kindness with them", and to punish anyone who should "wantonly destroy them, or give them any unnecessary interruption in the exercise of their several occupations".[72] The first meeting between the colonists and the Eora, Aboriginal people, happened in Botany Bay. When Phillip went ashore, gifts were exchanged, thus Phillip and the officers began their relationship with the Eora through gift-giving, hilarity, and dancing, but also by showing them what their guns could do.[73][39] Anyone found harming or killing Aboriginal people without provocation would be severely punished.[39]

Let's be fair, the guy was enlightened for his time. Even the kidnappings, looked at it from the greater picture, were understandable. Remember that this was the age of press gangs and nonexistent human rights. He was literally trying to preserve the Aborigines and their society. I don't know how many people would keep calm and forgive their attackers while being stabbed by a spear.