For at least 40,000 years before British colonized Australia in the late 18th century, Australia was primarily inhabited by its indigenous peoples. After the European discovery of the continent by Dutch explorers in the early 17th century, Britain claimed the eastern region of Australia and was initially settled through penal transportation to New South Wales throughout the 18th and early 19th century. The colony steadily grew in population and self-governing crown colonies were quickly established. On 1 January 1901, the Commonwealth of Australia was officially formed after the crown colonies federated. During the British Revolution, the Australian government declared indepedence from Britain following a series of leaked imperial documents that stated the then-abdicated Emperor's ambition