19c

The 19th century, often abbreviated as 19C, is a period conventionally dated 1801 to 1900. Historians sometimes extend it to the broader span known as the long nineteenth century, which reaches roughly the start of the French Revolution and ends with the onset of World War I. The era was marked by rapid change across politics, industry, science, culture, and global relations.

Industrialization transformed economies and societies, accelerating urbanization, transportation networks, and mass production. The spread of railways, steam power, and telecommunication technologies reshaped trade and daily life. This period also saw the rise of liberal constitutionalism, nationalism, and, in many regions, vigorous imperial expansion and global integration through colonial empires.

In science and thought, the century produced foundational shifts. Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution challenged traditional views of species and society. Germ theory advanced medicine, while developments in electromagnetism, chemistry, and physics laid the groundwork for modern science. New technologies, including electricity and the telephone, altered communication, while advances in industry and mining supported sustained economic growth.

Culturally, the century witnessed ongoing movements in art, literature, and music. Romanticism gave way to Realism and later diverse currents such as Impressionism, signaling changes in how people perceived nature, society, and everyday life. Political thought included liberalism, socialism, and emerging feminism, as movements pressed for greater rights and participation.

Globally, the period featured significant upheavals and transformations: revolutions and reforms, the abolition of slavery in many regions, and the expansion of empires in Africa and Asia. The 19th century laid the foundations for many aspects of modern politics, science, and culture.