AustLit

'In 1790, a military unit called the New South Wales corps was sent to guard the new colony against invasion or attack. The colony was run by a governor, and the members of the Corps were supposed to follow his orders. However, the Corps officers quickly gained power and stopped taking orders. Soon the controlling all trade in the colony, and taking the best land for themselves. In 1806 a new governor, William Bligh, Tried to take back control of the colony. The conflict that followed between Bligh and the New South Wales corps is known as the 'Rum Rebellion'. It is the only time in Australia's history that the government has been overthrown by the military. This is a story of the people, the ideas and the events that led to the Rum Rebellion, and how it changed Australia Forever.' (Publication summary)