Top 10 Events That Changed the Course of History

1929-41
The Great Depression was arguably one of the first growing pains of globalization. When the stock market crashed in the United States, it triggered a global economic crisis, leading to widespread poverty and starvation. The acute suffering of so many forced governments to intervene. In some countries like the U.S. and U.K., a laissez faire approach to economics gave way to large social welfare programs. In others, like Germany, Italy, and Spain, authoritarian fascism took root. The battle between authoritarianism and democracy, as well as that between unfettered capitalism and socialism would go on to define the following century. In many ways, these ideological battles are still being fought today.

2020
It may take years and the benefit of hindsight to fully understand the impact of COVID-19 on society. Even several years after the initial outbreak, we continue to grapple with its lingering effects. In the U.S., over one million people have succumbed to the virus, so far. Meanwhile, global estimates put the official death toll at over six million. Lockdowns were implemented and mass vaccinations were later promoted, which triggered widespread unrest. The ensuing confusion fueled misinformation, which facilitated the global spread of the virus and led to economic disruption around the world. Post-lockdown, remote work has experienced a significant surge, which will potentially have long-lasting economic and psychological effects.

1953
In 1953, the U.S. launched “Operation Ajax.” A joint effort with the UK, it saw the overthrow of democratically elected Prime Minister Mohammad Mossadegh, due to concerns over Iran’s nationalization of its oil industry. Mossadegh was replaced with the Shah of Iran, whose autocratic rule fostered discontent within the country, culminating in the 1979 Iranian Revolution. The subsequent regime was actively hostile to the West and became heavily repressive. As the most powerful Shi’ite nation on earth, Iran has spent decades at the center of Muslim sectarian unrest. They’ve supported both rebels and terrorists in multiple Middle Eastern countries, and continue to develop nuclear weapons that have set both regional and global powers on edge.

1919
The treaty of Versailles was a groundbreaking moment in the 20th century, signifying the conclusion of the First World War. As a result of this treaty, Germany was forced to cede colonial territories, pay reparations, and reduce its military might. France, in particular, extracted a heavy price from their teutonic neighbor. The harsh penalties triggered a complete collapse of Germany’s economy, leading to decades of recovery. This provided an environment for bitterness to foster among the German people, and helped fuel the rise of Hitler and the Nazi Party. Ironically, the Treaty of Versailles, intended to cease the War to End All Wars, inadvertently laid the foundation for the next one.

1453
The Eastern Roman Empire lasted for more than a thousand years after the fall of Rome. That is, until 1453, when the Ottoman Empire sacked Constantinople, bringing an end to Byzantium. It was a major turning point in the history of warfare; the guns of the Turks easily destroyed the formidable Theodosian Walls, rendering walled cities forever moot. It also marked a significant shift in religious dynamics, signaling the conclusion of Christian hegemony in the region. Most importantly, though, was the effect of the Turks’ victory on European trade, with major ancient trade routes to Asia now severed. This disruption spurred the Age of Exploration, as an urgent need arose to establish new routes of foreign trade.

1917-23
Before World War I, Russia was one of the world’s most unstable powers, marked by frequent assassinations, widespread poverty and starvation. Intellectuals like Vladimir Lenin imagined a utopian society, ultimately leading a violent people’s revolution that toppled the monarchy and established the world’s first Communist government. By the end of World War II, this new Soviet Union was one of humanity’s two great superpowers. They soon engaged in a Cold War with the U.S., during which soviet influence expanded globally and fostered socialist revolutions all over Asia and Latin America. This war led to the spread of nuclear weapons around the world as a deterrent, and forced scientists to make great leaps in military technology.

1941-45
The notion of humans born with inalienable rights came about thanks to Enlightenment philosophers like John Locke. The concept did nothing to prevent atrocities like slavery from persisting. However, the Holocaust was a brutal lesson for the entire world. A state engaged in the wholesale, systematic slaughter of millions based solely on their identity. This tragic event led to the establishment of the nation of Israel, granting Jews a homeland for the first time in 2000 years. More importantly, the world enacted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948. Still, atrocities continue and people are urged to remember the lessons of the Holocaust. While we now recognize human rights, they must be enforced if they are to exist at all.

476 C.E.
Whether justified or not, historians have spent centuries lamenting the Fall of the Roman Empire. Edward Gibbon called it ‘the greatest, perhaps, and most awful scene in the history of mankind.’ At its height, Rome was a technological superpower, replete with large cities full of architectural marvels. They also possessed some of the brightest minds of the ancient world. However, with the collapse of Rome, Europe descended into a millennium of darkness. Technological and philosophical advancement were all but non-existent. Without a strong central government, the people turned to the Catholic and, eventually, Orthodox Churches for guidance. All of this resulted in a drought of new, revolutionary thought and advancement in Europe for a thousand years.

1765-83
Democracy was first invented in Athens around the fifth century B.C.E. It was a clunky, slow form of government that was hard to scale in size. For centuries, democracy was abandoned as a viable option, with the notable exception of the Iroquois Confederacy. That all changed in 1783, when a small colonial power defeated the largest Empire in the world. The first modern democratic republic stood as a beacon for the rest of the world. Though America’s government has always been deeply flawed, their defeat of the British represented a viable alternative to imperial rule. The French soon followed suit with their own revolution. As empires began to decolonize after World War II, democracy spread all over the world.

336-323 B.C.E
Alexander the Great ruled for only 13 years, but left a long-lasting impact. As a military commander, Alexander was unparalleled. His armies found victory all over the Aegean. Then, he and his men looked south and east. He conquered northern Egypt and much of Mesopotamia. At its height, his empire spread Greek language and Hellenistic culture from Gibraltar in the West to Punjab in the East. His language and currency created a commonality in parts of the world that previously had none. This fostered early international trading and cultural networks. These trade routes lasted centuries, contributing to the economic and cultural might of Rome, Byzantium, and Christianity in general. As a result, some historians consider Alexander the most impactful man in human history.

The arc of history is long. Did we leave off any major events that have reshaped the world? Please let us know in the comments below!