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1910s

history Maturity 11-13 Next article →

The 1910s was a decade of massive change for the whole world.

World 1914 empires colonies territory
World 1914 empires colonies territory

It began on January 1, 1910, and ended on December 31, 1919. This period saw the end of many old ways of living. Huge empires that had lasted for a long time began to fall apart. Many people lived through wars, new inventions, and big shifts in how governments worked. It was a time when the map of the world was being redrawn. The decade moved from quiet, traditional lives to a world that felt much faster and more uncertain.

One major event changed everything in Europe.

Treaty of Versailles, English version
Treaty of Versailles, English version

On June 28, 1914, Archduke Franz Ferdinand was killed in Sarajevo. He was the heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne. This event started a chain of events that led to World War I. The war began in Europe on August 1, 1914. It lasted until a truce was called on November 11, 1918. Finally, the Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919. This treaty helped end the war but caused many new problems.

Many countries went through revolutions during these years.

Lenin
Lenin

In Portugal, a revolution in 1910 ended their long monarchy. The Mexican Revolution began in November 1910 and led to a long civil war. This conflict eventually helped create a new Mexican Constitution in 1917. In China, the Xinhai Revolution ended 2,000 years of imperial rule. Russia also went through a massive change. The Russian Revolution in 1917 led to the rise of the Bolshevik Party. Under Vladimir Lenin, they created the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic.

Life also included many surprising and sometimes scary moments.

Stöwer Titanic (colorized)
Stöwer Titanic (colorized)

In 1912, the huge ship RMS Titanic hit an iceberg and sank. This disaster killed 1,517 people in the North Atlantic. Later, in 1917, the Halifax Explosion killed 2,000 people. The decade also saw the spread of the Spanish flu. This sickness affected many millions of people around the world. People also saw new technology like the Model T Ford.

Henry ford 1919
Henry ford 1919

This car became very popular and changed how people traveled.

Even though there was much conflict, new things were being built.

British Mark V-star Tank
British Mark V-star Tank

New machines like the British Mark V tank were used in wars. In the United States, the government made new rules for banks and voting. The Panama Canal was also finished in 1914. During this time, the world population grew from 1.75 billion to 1.87 billion. Many people were born and many new ideas were shared. The 1910s connected the old world of kings to the modern world we recognize today.

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🖼️ Images & Media (11)
File:Treaty of Versailles, English version.jpg
Treaty of Versailles, English version.jpg
File:World 1914 empires colonies territory.PNG
World 1914 empires colonies territory.PNG
File:Lenin.gif
Lenin.gif
File:Stöwer Titanic (colorized).jpg
Stöwer Titanic (colorized).jpg
File:Halifax Explosion blast cloud.jpg
Halifax Explosion blast cloud.jpg
File:British Mark V-star Tank.jpg
British Mark V-star Tank.jpg
File:Henry ford 1919.jpg
Henry ford 1919.jpg
File:Charlie Chaplin with doll.jpg
Charlie Chaplin with doll.jpg
File:Lillian Gish-edit1.jpg
Lillian Gish-edit1.jpg
File:Mary Pickford cph.3c17995u.jpg
Mary Pickford cph.3c17995u.jpg
File:Babe Ruth by Paul Thompson, 1915.jpg
Babe Ruth by Paul Thompson, 1915.jpg
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