18971945

1897–1945 refers to a historical interval that begins in the late 19th century and extends through the end of World War II. During these years, industrialization and technological progress accelerated global interconnectedness, bringing about social and political transformations across continents. The era saw the consolidation of nation-states, the expansion of imperial empires, and significant movements for political reform and suffrage.

Global conflicts dominated much of the early 20th century. World War I (1914–1918) reconfigured borders, undermined older empires, and contributed to social change. The interwar period was marked by economic volatility, including the Great Depression, and the rise of new ideologies such as liberal democracy, communism, and fascism. In Europe, Asia, and beyond, authoritarian regimes gained power, while independence movements accelerated in colonized regions.

Technological and cultural changes also defined the period: the expansion of rail and automobile transport, electrification, the spread of radio and cinema, advances in aviation and medicine, and scientific developments in physics and medicine. Social reforms, urbanization, and new forms of art and literature reflected modern life.

World War II (1939–1945) ended this era, leading to a reorganization of international power and the emergence of new institutions and norms, including the United Nations in 1945. The period thus marked both the consolidation of the modern state system and the start of geopolitical contest that would shape the second half of the 20th century.