Ever since 1788, Australia's economic well being has, for good or ill, been affected by the international economy. The authors trace that relationship from the late nineteenth-century onwards. The book is arranged in four chronological sections: pre-First World War, the inter-war period, from the Second World War to 1959 and Australia since 1960. The opening chapter in each section discusses the international economy during the period, the second and third chapters look at the impact of the international economy on the Australian economy. Each section gives a clear account of the political and commercial influences which underlie economic developments. This book fills the need for an introductory text in this area for undergraduate students of economics, politics and history since the text does not assume any previous knowledge of Australian economy or history. It is also useful for the general reader who wishes to understand the international framework within which the Australian economy operates.