19611990

1961–1990 was a period defined by Cold War dynamics, decolonization, and rapid technological change. It encompassed the height of East–West rivalry, punctuated by landmark events such as the erection of the Berlin Wall in 1961, the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962, and a long arc of diplomacy and deterrence that shaped global security. The era also saw continued decolonization across Asia, Africa, and the Caribbean, along with significant social and political movements, including civil rights activism, feminist organizing, and student and anti-war movements in various countries.

Technological and scientific developments helped redefine daily life and international power. Yuri Gagarin became the first human in space in 1961, followed by Apollo 11’s Moon landing in 1969. The Space Shuttle program began in 1981, expanding human access to space. In computing and communications, ARPANET emerged in 1969 and evolved into the Internet through the 1980s, while microprocessors and personal computers transformed industry, education, and culture. The mass adoption of television and the rise of video games also influenced entertainment and media.

Economic and political shifts marked the late 20th century as well. Oil shocks in 1973 and 1979 affected economies worldwide and spurred energy and policy changes. By the late 1980s, reforms such as perestroika and glasnost in the Soviet Union, along with broad anti-communist movements in Eastern Europe, led to the fall of regimes and the opening of borders, culminating in German reunification in 1990. The period ended with the beginning of a new geopolitical era, transitioning toward a post–Cold War order.