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It seems to me like the 1900s and 1910s, and indeed even as late as the '40s was very similar to the 19th century in most parts of the world. Cars and electricity were only for the rich prior to 1920 and even as late as 1970 only about half of the world's population had any kind of access to the grid.
As for when they ended, I would say probably in the mid to late 1990s with the last vestiges of colonialism and the Cold War disappearing and the rise of the Internet and cell phones. Though in much of the world this probably happened more around the years 2005-2010.
It seems to me like the 1900s and 1910s, and indeed even as late as the '40s was very similar to the 19th century in most parts of the world. Cars and electricity were only for the rich prior to 1920 and even as late as 1970 only about half of the world's population had any kind of access to the grid.
As for when they ended, I would say probably in the mid to late 1990s with the last vestiges of colonialism and the Cold War disappearing and the rise of the Internet and cell phones. Though in much of the world this probably happened more around the years 2005-2010.
I responded to a similar question once before. That question was "When did the modern world really begin?"
I picked the 1930's for those of us in the United States.
By the 1930's, most households owned an automobile. While four lane freeways were a long ways off, paved transcontinental highways like the infamous "Route 66" were being built. Except for rural areas, most people had electricity and gas in their home or apartment. Most people owned a radio and networks like CBS and MBS had formed bringing people news and regular programming. Presidents like FDR came to rely on the radio as a means to communicate with millions of Americans who tuned in for his speeches and fireside chats. The DC-3 was built by the Douglas Aircraft Corporation and became the first profitable airliner ever made. Within a short time, hundreds were in service around the country. It became possible--with stops--to fly coast to coast. The 1930's also saw the passage of laws that made the fifty states into a real nation. I refer to Social Security, minimum wage and maximum hour laws, the Securities and Exchange Act, the Glass Stegall Banking Reform Act, and laws like the Wagner Act which paved the way for collective bargaining and union recognition.
I don't know if this is what the OP meant or not, but that's my answer.
When the century began is not a matter of opinion. It isn't up for opinion to be the correct response. The correct response is what suzy_q2010 stated. It is immaterial if someone chooses to think otherwise.
I'm sure the current century celebration on 1/1/2000 met with your disapproval.
I don't know about suzy_q, but it sure met with my disapproval. A series of numbers does not start with a zero. 2001 was the first year of the 21st Century; there's just no disputing it. People can call 2000 the first year of the century all they like, but that doesn't make it so.
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When do you think the 20th century started?
