18791933

1879–1933 is a historical span that connects the late 19th century with the early decades of the 20th century. The period was characterized by rapid industrialization, urban growth, and transformative advances in science and technology that reshaped daily life and global economies. In 1879, Thomas Edison and colleagues achieved a practical electric light bulb, catalyzing the spread of electric power. The following decades saw the expansion of rail networks, telephone communication, automobiles, and cinema, contributing to a more interconnected world.

International politics during this era were defined by imperial competition among European powers, rising nationalism, and the system of alliances that would trigger a global conflict. World War I (1914–1918) altered borders and power relations, leading to the collapse of empires and the creation of new states. The postwar order included the Treaty of Versailles and the formation of the League of Nations, though peace remained fragile. The Russian Revolution of 1917 culminated in the creation of the Soviet Union in 1922, introducing a new political model on a large scale. The 1920s saw relative economic fluctuations and the spread of modernist movements in culture and art.

The period ends in 1933 amid widespread economic hardship and political upheaval. The Great Depression had begun with the stock market crash of 1929 and affected economies worldwide. In Germany and several other countries, radical movements gained traction, culminating in Adolf Hitler’s rise to power in 1933, signaling a shift toward a more destabilized international landscape.