19211970

1921–1970 is a historical span rather than a single subject, covering five decades of the 20th century from the early post–World War I era to the late 1960s. It encompasses broad transformations in politics, economics, technology, and culture that shaped the latter half of the century.

Political and economic contexts evolved from the instability of the interwar period through the upheavals of World War II and the emergence of a new international order. The 1920s and 1930s saw economic volatility and the rise of radical movements in several countries. The Second World War (1939–1945) concluded with the defeat of the Axis powers, the creation of the United Nations, and the beginning of a U.S.–Soviet geopolitical rivalry during the Cold War.

The postwar era experienced decolonization, with many nations attaining independence in Asia, Africa, and the Caribbean, alongside rapid economic growth in Western economies during the so‑called postwar expansion. Scientific and technological advances accelerated, including early computing, medical breakthroughs, and the space era beginning with the launch of Sputnik in 1957. Developments in telecommunications and consumer technology contributed to changing daily life and work.

Social and cultural change intensified as well. Civil rights movements, increased attention to gender equality, labor rights, and shifting cultural norms contributed to broad societal reform, while mass media, entertainment, and youth culture reshaped public life. The period also saw enduring Cold War tensions and a pattern of proxy conflicts that influenced international relations.

By around 1970, the world had entered a phase of new economic challenges and continuing modernization, with many of the political, technological, and social developments of 1921–1970 laying the groundwork for later decades.