He says the war turned a peaceful nation into "one that was violent, aggressive, angst- and conflict-ridden, torn apart by invisible front lines of sectarian division, ethnic conflict and socio-economic and political upheaval." The nation was fearful of enemy aliens—especially Germans, regardless of how closely they identified with Australia. The government interred 2,900 German-born men (40% of the total) and deported 700 of them after the war.
According to him, the war transformed a peaceful country into one plagued by violence, aggression, anxiety, and conflict, divided along sectarian lines, ethnic lines, and socio-economic and political fault lines. The nation was fearful of German immigrants, regardless of their Australian identity. The government detained 2,900 German-born men (40% of the total) and deported 700 after the war.