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1900s

Definition

The 1900s refers to the time period between January 1st, 1900 and December 31st, 1999. It covers most of the twentieth century.

Analogy

Imagine you have a time machine that takes you back to visit your grandparents when they were young. The time machine only works for one hundred years from 1900 onwards - so it's like having access to all your family history during that century.

Related terms

Industrialization: Industrialization refers to the process of transforming an economy from primarily agrarian-based production methods into industrial ones. It involves mechanization of labor-intensive tasks.

World Wars: Refers specifically to World War I (1914-1918) and World War II (1939-1945), two major global conflicts that had a significant impact on the twentieth century.

Decolonization: Decolonization refers to the process by which colonies gained independence from their colonial rulers. It was a defining feature of the mid-twentieth century as many nations sought self-determination.