Australian frontier wars | |||||||
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New South Wales Mounted Police engaging Aboriginal warriors during the Waterloo Creek massacre of 1838 | |||||||
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Belligerents | |||||||
Aboriginal Australians: Eora, Dharug, Gandangara and Tharawal Wiradjuri Wonnarua and Gamilaroi Gunditjmara Palawa peoples Noongar peoples Jagera Many others | |||||||
Commanders and leaders | |||||||
Arthur Phillip Lachlan Macquarie James Stirling George Arthur Others |
Pemulwuy Musquito Windradyne Yagan Tunnerminnerwait Truganini Tarenorerer Multuggerah Jandamarra Dundalli Mannalargenna Nemarluk Tarrarer Cocknose Partpoaermin Koort Kirrup Alkapurata | ||||||
Strength | |||||||
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Casualties and losses | |||||||
About 2,500 killed[3] | At least 30,000 killed[4] |
The Australian frontier wars were the violent conflicts between Indigenous Australians (including both Aboriginal Australians and Torres Strait Islanders) and mostly British settlers during the colonial period of Australia.[5]
The first conflict took place several months after the landing of the First Fleet in January 1788, and the last conflicts occurred in the early 20th century following the federation of the Australian colonies in 1901, with some occurring as late as 1934. Conflicts occurred in a number of locations across Australia.
Estimates of the number of people killed in the fighting vary considerably.