1690s

The 1690s refers to the decade spanning 1690 through 1699 in global history. It sits in the late 17th century, continuing the geopolitical realignments of the earlier Glorious Revolution and the Nine Years' War. The decade saw the expansion of financial institutions, colonial and mercantile activity, and ongoing scientific and cultural developments characteristic of the early modern era.

In Europe, military conflict persisted as part of the Nine Years' War. The Williamite War in Ireland produced the 1690 Battle of the Boyne and the 1691 decisive engagement at Aughrim; hostilities against France ended with the Peace of Ryswick in 1697. In the broader region, the Ottoman–Habsburg conflict concluded with the Treaty of Karlowitz in 1699, reshaping Central European borders.

Economically, 1694 marked the chartering of the Bank of England, establishing a national financial institution to fund government operations and manage debt. This decade also saw growth in mercantile trade, capital markets, and colonial enterprises, with companies such as the East India Company expanding commercial reach in Asia and the Atlantic world.

Social and cultural developments continued to unfold. The Massachusetts Bay Colony's Salem witch trials occurred in 1692–93. The scientific community remained active, with European scholars contributing to the ongoing scientific revolution and the Royal Society playing a leading role in natural philosophy and experimental inquiry.

On the broader Eurasian stage, the 1690s included Peter the Great's Grand Embassy to Western Europe (1697–1698), which sought Western technology and shipbuilding knowledge. In Asia, the Qing Dynasty under Kangxi continued consolidation of power, and the late decade set the stage for 18th‑century reforms and expansion.