18671941

1867–1941 is a historical span that covers the late 19th century through the early 1940s. It tracks a period of rapid industrialization, geopolitical realignments, and dramatic social change that shaped the modern world. The late 19th century saw the consolidation of nation-states and empires: Canada became a dominion in 1867, and the German Empire was proclaimed in 1871. Industrial societies expanded, powered by rail, steel, and electrification, while imperial powers extended their reach in Africa and Asia.

The early 20th century brought new political ideologies, urbanization, and global conflict. World War I (1914–1918) redefined borders and sovereignty, while the Russian Revolution of 1917 established a new socialist state. The postwar era saw the Treaty of Versailles, the dissolution of several empires, and significant economic instability. The Great Depression of the 1930s exacerbated unemployment and social strain, contributing to the rise of totalitarian movements in some regions and increasing tensions that culminated in World War II.

From the mid-1930s into 1941, nations grappled with militarism, allied and axis blocs, and a shifting balance of power. The war expanded beyond Europe, touching Asia and the Atlantic. In 1941, hostilities intensified with events such as the attack on Pearl Harbor, drawing the United States into the conflict and signaling a new global order.

Across 1867–1941, advances in science, technology, and culture accompanied and sometimes accelerated these geopolitical shifts, influencing politics, economies, and daily life in ways that shaped the 20th century.