19351976

1935–1976 denotes a span of global transformation spanning prewar tensions, World War II, the postwar order, decolonization, and the consolidation of the Cold War. The late 1930s saw the rise of aggressive totalitarian regimes in Europe and Asia. World War II (1939–1945) redrew borders and reshaped power structures, culminating in the founding of the United Nations in 1945 and the emergence of a new international system.

Between the late 1940s and 1991 the Cold War framed much of international politics, with ideological confrontation, proxy conflicts, and strategic competition between the United States and the Soviet bloc. The period also witnessed extensive decolonization, as many colonies in Africa, Asia, and the Caribbean gained independence from European powers between the 1950s and 1970s.

Economically, the postwar era saw reconstruction and rapid growth in many regions, followed by the oil shocks of the 1970s that contributed to inflation and slower growth in various economies. The era also featured major scientific and technological advances, including the space program—with Sputnik in 1957 and the Apollo 11 moon landing in 1969—and advances in computing and communications.

Culturally and socially, the period experienced significant movements such as the civil rights movement in the United States, feminist and student movements, and evolving cultural expressions in music, film, and art. China’s Cultural Revolution (1966–1976) stood as a prominent example of internal political upheaval.

By 1976, the period had laid foundations for later globalization, the contemporary international system, and ongoing regional realignments, leaving lasting impacts on politics, economies, and culture.