19001914

The period between 1900 and 1914, often referred to as the "Long Summer" or the "Belle Époque" in Europe, was a time of significant social, technological, and political change. Industrialization continued its rapid advance, leading to new inventions like the airplane, the automobile, and advancements in communication technologies such as the radio. This era also witnessed a burgeoning of artistic and cultural movements, including Impressionism, Art Nouveau, and early modernism in literature and music.

Politically, the world was marked by a complex web of alliances and growing imperial ambitions, particularly among European powers. This period saw a shift in global power dynamics, with the rise of new industrial nations and increasing competition for colonies and resources. Socially, there were growing movements for workers' rights and suffrage, alongside a widening gap between the wealthy elite and the working classes in many industrialized nations. The optimism of the era was underpinned by a sense of progress and discovery, yet beneath the surface, underlying tensions were steadily escalating, setting the stage for the global conflict that would soon engulf the world.