1870s1890s

The 1870s through the 1890s, often treated as the late 19th century, was a period marked by rapid change driven by industrialization, imperial expansion, and social transformation. Economically, it was shaped by the Second Industrial Revolution, with innovations in steel, electricity, chemistry, and transport, and by the emergence of large-scale businesses and global markets.

In politics and conflict, the Franco-Prussian War of 1870–1871 helped unify Germany and shifted European power toward a new balance. The era experienced cycles of growth and downturn, including the Panic of 1873 and a prolonged economic downturn in various regions. European powers accelerated overseas expansion, culminating in the Berlin Conference of 1884–85 and intensified imperial competition in Africa and Asia.

Society and culture underwent rapid urbanization, increased labor organization, and broader social reforms. Education expanded, public institutions grew, and movements for women’s suffrage gained momentum in several countries. World exhibitions and other public demonstrations of science and industry highlighted the era’s technological progress.

Technological and scientific progress extended beyond industry. The spread of the telegraph, the invention and diffusion of the telephone, and the practical use of electric light transformed communications and daily life. Advances in science and medicine and broader access to education helped shape new ways of understanding and organizing society.

The period ended with a more interconnected but increasingly competitive global order, laying groundwork for the political, economic, and technological shifts that would define the 20th century.