18651939

1865–1939 is a historical span often used to describe the late 19th and early 20th centuries, a period marked by rapid change across many regions. It covers the tail end of the nineteenth century and the interwar years that led up to World War II, encompassing shifts in technology, politics, society, and global relations.

The era was defined by industrialization, urbanization, and the expansion of global trade. The second industrial revolution brought innovations in electricity, steel, chemicals, and communications, enabling new forms of production and organization. Colonial empires continued to expand, while nationalist movements, reforms in governance, and social activism reshaped political landscapes and cultural norms.

Major events within this span include the conclusion of the American Civil War era in 1865, World War I from 1914 to 1918, the Russian Revolution of 1917, and the influenza pandemic of 1918–1919. The 1920s witnessed economic and cultural dynamism in many societies, followed by the Great Depression beginning in 1929. The 1930s saw significant political upheaval, including the rise of totalitarian regimes in several countries, and culminated in the outbreak of World War II in 1939.

The period left a lasting impact on geopolitics, economies, and social structures. Its legacies include changes in labor organization, advances in science and technology, imperial and nationalist dynamics, and the institutional developments that shaped international relations and domestic policy in the mid-20th century.