18721918

1872–1918 is a historical span that covers the late 19th century and the first two decades of the 20th century. In historiography, the compact form 1872–1918 is used to discuss a continuous sequence of social, economic, and political changes that shaped modern states and global systems. The period begins after the earlier phases of industrialization and extends to the aftermath of World War I, a time of upheaval and transformation.

Economically, the era saw rapid industrialization, urbanization, and the expansion of global trade networks. Innovations in steel, electricity, chemistry, and transportation transformed production, infrastructure, and everyday life. Societies reformed in various ways, with education expanding, labor movements organizing, and suffrage campaigns advancing political participation in many countries, while colonial empires continued to project power overseas.

Politically and militarily, the period witnessed the consolidation of nation-states, heightened nationalism, and imperial competition. The early 20th century brought alliances and arms races that culminated in World War I (1914–1918), reshaping borders and power structures across continents. The Russian Revolution of 1917 introduced an alternative political model and inspired future movements. The armistice of 1918 ended major hostilities and set in motion the postwar settlements that redrew maps and redefined international relations.

Significance of the span lies in its function as a broad periodization rather than a single, unified event. It marks the transition from older imperial and artisanal economies to modern industrial society and lays the groundwork for interwar politics, new state systems, and international institutions. See also: Second Industrial Revolution, World War I, Russian Revolution, imperialism.