Sydney the colonial forces of Australia at Rouse Hill. The Rum Rebellion of 1808 was the only successful armed takeover of government in Australian history, where the Governor of New South Wales, William Bligh, was ousted by the New South Wales Corps under the command of Major George Johnston, who led the rebellion. Conflicts arose between the governors and the officers of the Rum Corps, many of which were land owners such as John Macarthur. Early Sydney was molded by the hardship suffered by early settlers. In the early years, drought and disease caused widespread problems, but the situation soon improved.
1808: The Flight of the Emperor 1808: The Flight of the Emperor 1808: The Flight of the Emperor, subtitled "How a Weak Prince, a Mad Queen, and the British Navy Tricked Napoleon and Changed the New World" (, which translates as "How a mad queen, a coward prince and a corrupt court fooled Napoleon and changed the History of Portugal and Brazil") is a non-fiction historical book written by Laurentino Gomes, edited by Planeta. In 2008, the book was awarded as the best essay book by Academia Brasileira de Letras. It was also awarded twice a Prêmio Jabuti, at the categories "best reportage-book" and "non-fiction book