19161938

19161938 is a shorthand used by historians and scholars to denote the broad historical and cultural arc spanning roughly 1916 to 1938. It is not a formal title of a country, movement, or organization, but a descriptive label for a transitional period that includes the latter part of World War I, the interwar years, the global Great Depression, and the lead-up to World War II. Different fields apply the span with varying start and end points, but the general frame highlights the global realignments and rapid social change of the era.

Key historical developments within this period include the late stages of World War I and its immediate aftermath, such as the Russian Revolution of 1917 and the state-building that followed in Europe. The 1920s saw attempts at reconstruction and new international norms, including the Locarno Treaties (1925) and the Kellogg-Briand Pact (1928). The decade also featured the establishment and fragility of the interwar international order and the emergence of totalitarian regimes in various countries. The 1930s brought the Great Depression, widespread economic hardship, and escalating political extremism, culminating in events such as the Spanish Civil War (1936–1939) and the aggressive moves that would lead to World War II.

Culturally, the period was marked by modernist experimentation in art, literature, and film, alongside advances in science and technology, as societies adapted to rapid industrial and social changes. The term is often used in European historical discourse but applies to global developments that influenced politics, economy, and culture during these two decades. Given its non-fixed boundaries, interpretations of 19161938 vary by region and scholarly focus.