19251990

1925–1990 refers to a historical span covering roughly the mid-to-late 20th century. This period begins in the interwar era, includes the global upheavals of the Great Depression and World War II, and extends through the Cold War era to the late stage of its influence. It is used in historical writing to analyze broad patterns of political, economic, and social change that shaped many regions during this time.

The period saw major economic cycles and institutional developments. The aftermath of the 1929 stock market crash led to widespread economic hardship, followed by postwar reconstruction and the establishment of international frameworks such as the Bretton Woods system. The decade-long process of decolonization reshaped political maps in Asia, Africa, the Caribbean, and beyond, as new sovereign states emerged. The Cold War defined international relations, producing ideological rivalry, proxy conflicts, and a transition toward greater political integration and cooperation in various regions.

Scientific and cultural developments were equally transformative. The space age began with human spaceflight in the early 1960s and culminated in moon landings in 1969. Advances in computing, telecommunications, and later the early stages of the information revolution reshaped economies and daily life. Social movements challenged established norms and helped advance civil rights, gender equality, and political participation, contributing to broader cultural and institutional change.

The 1925–1990 period is often viewed as a bridge between older imperial structures and the late 20th-century global order. It set the stage for the political realignments, technological breakthroughs, and social transformations that would define the ensuing decades.