2000s
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The 2000s were the decade that began on 1 January 2000 and ended on 31 December 2009. It was the first decade of the 21st century by conventional Gregorian calendar dating. The period was marked by major transformations in digital communications, the global security order, and financial markets.
The defining features of this period included the spread of the internet and mobile phones among the general population, rapid economic growth in China, wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, and the financial crisis of 2007–2009.
Politics and security
The attacks on the United States on 11 September 2001 triggered what Washington and its allies called the 'war on terror'. That year, international forces entered Afghanistan, and in 2003 Iraq was invaded, leading to the overthrow of Saddam Hussein. Many countries enacted new security legislation, and debates over personal freedoms intensified.
Economics
The decade began with the collapse of the dot-com bubble. This was followed by a period of rapid growth accompanied by a housing boom, particularly in the United States. In 2007–2008, a global financial crisis emerged, featuring the failure of major banks and a contraction in world trade. During this same period, China joined the World Trade Organization in 2001, strengthening its position as a global manufacturing hub.
Technology and society
Broadband internet became common in many countries. New platforms emerged, including search engines, video sharing, and social networking sites. Mobile phones proliferated in developing countries, and the merger of telephony with portable computing led to what would later be called the smartphone. Wikipedia was launched in 2001 and became an example of collective knowledge creation by the general public.
Disasters and health
In December 2004, an earthquake and tsunami in the Indian Ocean killed hundreds of thousands across multiple countries. SARS spread in 2003, and in 2009 the H1N1 influenza pandemic occurred. Climate change also emerged as a significant topic in international discussions.