19231968

1923–1968 is a continuous historical span that covers the interwar period, World War II, the Cold War, and the early phase of decolonization and social transformation. The period begins with economic and political unrest following World War I and ends amid widespread social upheaval and rapid modernization in many parts of the world.

Beginning in 1923, several nations faced economic instability; Germany experienced hyperinflation, and the 1920s featured efforts toward recovery such as the Dawes Plan, while other regions faced stagnation. The 1930s were dominated by the rise of authoritarian movements in Europe and Asia and by the Great Depression after 1929. In 1939, World War II began, culminating in Allied victory in 1945 and the founding of the United Nations. The war redrew the political map and set the stage for the Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union, with numerous proxy conflicts around the world.

From the late 1940s to the 1960s, decolonization accelerated, new states emerged in Africa and Asia, and Western economies experienced modernization and welfare expansion under programs such as the Marshall Plan and, in Europe, the European Economic Community. The era was also defined by the arms race, space exploration, and significant cultural changes.

Civil rights movements in the United States, along with feminist and student movements in Europe and elsewhere, plus protests against wars and authoritarian rule, shaped politics. Notable events include the diffusion of civil rights legislation in the United States in the 1960s, the Cuban Revolution (1959), the construction of the Berlin Wall (1961), and the Cuban Missile Crisis (1962); 1968 witnessed Prague Spring, widespread protests, assassinations, and ongoing conflicts in Vietnam.

The year 1968 marks a point of upheaval and transition; the period ends with enduring challenges toward democracy, decolonization, and economic development that continued beyond 1968.