1910s

Events and trends

The 1910s represent the culmination of European militarism which had its beginnings during the second half of the 19th Century. The conservative lifestyles during the first half of the decade, as well as the legacy of military alliances, would forever be changed by the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria, heir to the Austrian throne, on 28 June 1914. The murder would trigger a chain of events in which, within 30 days, war would break out in Europe, as well as other regions of the world. The long, wide, and protracted conflict would end in November 1918 with the controversial Treaty of Versailles. World War I-- also known as the Great War-- held the reputation of being the widest and most expensive conflict in history (at the time), and would leave a lasting legacy during the subsequent decades. The war would also be remembered for contributing to the collapse of aging empires and monarchies. The Habsburgs as well as Wilhelm II of Germany went into exile after 1918, while czar Nicholas II of Russia and his family would be ruthlessly executed by Russian revolutionaries.

The decade was also described as a period of revolution in a number of countries. Mexico spear-headed the trend in November 1910, which led to the ouster of dictator Porfirio Diaz, leading to a civil war that would drag on until about 1917, when a new Government was founded and a new Constitution signed. Russia also had a similar fate, since the Great War led to collapse in morale as well as economic chaos. This atmosphere encouraged the establishment of Bolshevism, which would be later renamed as Communism.

Technology

Gideon Sundback patents the first modern zipper
Harry Brearley invents stainless steel
Charles P. Strite invents first pop-up bread toaster

Science

Einstein's theory of general relativity
Max von Laue discovers the diffraction of x-rays by crystals
Alfred Wegener puts forward his theory of continental drift

War, peace, and politics

Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary leads to World War I
October Revolution in Russia leads to the first Communist government; assassination of Emperor Nicholas II and the royal family
Romania is unified with Transylvania and Bessarabia
Easter Rising against the British in Ireland; eventually leads to Irish independence
Xinhai Revolution causes the overthrow of China's ruling Qing Dynasty, and the establishment of the Republic of China.
George V becomes king in Britain.

Culture and Religion

Radio programming becomes popular
Flying Squadron promotes temperance movement in U.S.
Edith Smith Davis edits the Temperance Educational Quarterly.
The beginning of the massacre of 1.5 million Armenians by the Turkish government.

Literature and Arts

D. H. Lawrence publishes Sons and Lovers

Others

The ocean liner RMS Titanic strikes an iceberg in the North Atlantic in 1912, and sinks on its maiden voyage.
Jouett Shouse serves in Congress (1915-1919).

World Leaders

Prime Minister Andrew Fisher (Australia)
Prime Minister Joseph Cook (Australia)
Prime Minister Billy Hughes (Australia)
Emperor Franz Josef (Austria-Hungary)
Emperor Karl (Austria-Hungary)
Prime Minister Sir Robert Borden (Canada)
Emperor Henry Pu Yi of the Qing Dynasty (China)
Sun Yat-sen, President of the Republic of China
Yuan Shikai, President of the Republic of China and briefly Emperor.
Xu Shichang, President of the Republic of China
Emperor Wilhelm II (German Empire)
Chancellor Theobald von Bethmann-Hollweg (German Empire)
King Victor Emmanuel III (Italy)
Pope Pius X
Pope Benedict XV
Sultan Vahidettin (Ottoman Empire)
Ahmad Shah Qajar of Qajar dynasty (Persia)
Emperor Nicholas II (Russia)
Vladimir Lenin (Soviet Union)
King Alfonso XIII (Spain)
Prime Minister José Canalejas (Spain)
Prime Minister Eduardo Dato (Spain)
King George V (United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland)
Prime Minister H. H. Asquith (United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland)
Prime Minister David Lloyd George (United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland)
President William Howard Taft (United States)
President Woodrow Wilson (United States)

Entertainers

External Links