In 1901, the separate Australian colonies came together in a Commonwealth. Markets were extended, industries enlarged and over the next forty years Australians pursued themes of material and social progress through war and economic crisis. This title locates these events within their international and imperial context.

' ...this is a full, rich and elegantly written account which draws throughout not only on an impressive range of recent research literature but also on much new archival work by the author himself ... It deserves to become the standard text for its period.' The Times Higher Educational Supplement 'Stuart Macintyre, author of the fourth volume of the Oxford History of Australia, covers the years 1901-1942 in good plain style' Clive James The London Review of Books this is a full, rich and elegantly written account which draws throughout not only on an impressive range of recent research literature but also on much new archival work by the author himself ... It deserves to become the standard text for its period.' Times Higher Education Supplement

' ...this is a full, rich and elegantly written account which draws throughout not only on an impressive range of recent research literature but also on much new archival work by the author himself .... It deserves to become the standard text for its period.' The Times Higher Educational Supplement 'Stuart Macintyre, author of the fourth volume of the Oxford History of Australia, covers the years 1901-1942 in good plain style' Clive James The London Review of Books this is a full, rich and elegantly written account which draws throughout not only on an impressive range of recent research literature but also on much new archival work by the author himself ... It deserves to become the standard text for its period.' Times Higher Education Supplement