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2010s

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The 2010s was a decade of huge changes for the whole world. It began on January 1, 2010, and ended on December 31, 2019.

Tahrir Square during 8 February 2011
Tahrir Square during 8 February 2011

This time was often called the '10s or the Tens. It started with a slow economic recovery from the Great Recession. Many countries saw their economies grow as people spent more money. New technologies also helped this growth happen. However, the recovery was not the same for everyone. Some places struggled with debt or social crises while others grew fast.

Many big events changed how people lived and governed. In the Arab world, many people led protests for change. This period was known as the Arab Spring. It led to revolutions in Tunisia, Egypt, and Bahrain.

Arab Spring and Regional Conflict Map
Arab Spring and Regional Conflict Map

It also caused civil wars in Libya, Syria, and Yemen. In Europe, many countries had to deal with a debt crisis. In the United States, Donald Trump was elected president in 2016. This happened during a time when many people felt new types of nationalism.

Technology and the internet changed almost everything we do.

Umbrella Revolution in Admiralty Night View 20141010
Umbrella Revolution in Admiralty Night View 20141010

Smartphones became very common and replaced many desktop computers. Internet use grew from 29% to 54% of the world's people. People began using streaming services like Netflix and Disney+ instead of cable TV.

Music changed too, with services like Spotify and Apple Music becoming popular. This helped different styles like K-pop and Latin music reach more people. Even video games changed as mobile gaming became bigger than handheld consoles in 2011.

Global leaders and nations also shifted their power. The United States remained a major superpower during these years.

Xi Jinping 2019
Xi Jinping 2019

At the same time, China grew much stronger and expanded its influence. This led to a trade war between the two countries. In 2014, Russia took control of Crimea in Ukraine.

Crimea (orthographic projection)
Crimea (orthographic projection)

Other groups, like the Islamic State, caused big conflicts in Iraq and Syria. These events showed how much the world was changing and connecting.

Nature and the environment were also very important topics.

Global warming became easier to notice with record heat and extreme weather. The amount of CO2 in the air rose from 390 to 410 PPM. Many people joined movements to fight climate change and pollution. In 2015, leaders signed the Paris Agreement to help the planet.

Sadly, the decade also saw many natural disasters like earthquakes and cyclones. At the very end, the first cases of the Coronavirus appeared in China.

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🖼️ Images & Media (42)
File:Ruins of Donetsk International airport (16).jpg
Ruins of Donetsk International airport (16).jpg
File:Territorial control of the ISIS - 12-31-2014.svg
Territorial control of the ISIS - 12-31-2014.svg
File:Mosul in ruins after war.jpg
Mosul in ruins after war.jpg
File:Wallst14occupy.jpg
Wallst14occupy.jpg
File:Umbrella Revolution in Admiralty Night View 20141010.jpg
Umbrella Revolution in Admiralty Night...
File:Manifestation contre le 5e mandat de Bouteflika (Blida).jpg
Manifestation contre le 5e mandat de...
File:Arab Spring and Regional Conflict Map.svg
Arab Spring and Regional Conflict Map.svg
File:Tahrir Square during 8 February 2011.jpg
Tahrir Square during 8 February 2011.jpg
File:NTC fighters claim Bani Walid.jpg
NTC fighters claim Bani Walid.jpg
File:Iran negotiations about Iran's nuclear.jpg
Iran negotiations about Iran's nuclear.jpg
File:13 November 2015 Paris attacks - montage.jpg
13 November 2015 Paris attacks - montage.jpg
File:1st Boston Marathon blast seen from 2nd floor and a half block away.jpg
1st Boston Marathon blast seen from 2nd...

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