19161990

19161990 denotes the period spanning roughly 1916 to 1990, used by historians to discuss a contiguous stretch of modern history. The interval includes late World War I and the Russian Revolution of 1917, the interwar years, the Second World War (1939–1945), and the subsequent reshaping of the international order. The postwar era saw the emergence of the United Nations, the division of the world into competing blocs during the Cold War, and widespread decolonization across Africa, Asia, and the Caribbean. The period also saw significant social and political upheaval, including movements for civil rights and gender equality, as well as shifts in governance and national identities.

Economic, social, and technological change define the second half: economic growth and reconstruction in the 1950s–60s, followed by volatility in the 1970s, and a shift toward liberalization and globalization in the 1980s. Advancements in aviation, electronics, computing, and medicine transformed daily life and production. The era witnessed mass urbanization, changes in labor markets, and the expansion of consumer culture in many regions. By 1989–1990, political reforms and popular movements contributed to the loosening of authoritarian regimes in Eastern Europe, culminating in events such as the fall of communism and German reunification in 1990, which helped redefine the postwar order. The designation 19161990 is used to analyze long-term patterns across nations rather than describe a single event, emphasizing how war, ideology, economic development, and technology interacted to shape the late 20th century.