History Extra podcast How convict labour forged empires
Dec 20, 2024
Clare Anderson, a historian at the University of Leicester and author of "Convicts: A Global History," reveals the expansive narrative of convict transportation that goes far beyond Australia. She discusses how Britain’s penal system stretched into Southeast Asia, reshaping societies. The podcast dives into the economic significance of convict labor in empire building, the agency and resistance displayed by convicts, and the complex ties between convict labor and slavery, highlighting both harsh conditions and contributions to infrastructure around the globe.
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Research Origins
- Clare Anderson's research began in Mauritius, focusing on convicts transported to Australia.
- Discovering a penal settlement for Indian convicts in Mauritius expanded her research scope.
Beyond Australia
- Convict transportation within the British Empire extended beyond Australia to Southeast Asia.
- This complex, multi-directional system connected to movements to and from Australia.
Convict Labor
- Convict labor was not a mere backup but the preferred workforce due to control and replaceability.
- This brutal system often resulted in horrific death rates and poor survival.
