Two world Wars drastically affect the culture of the twentieth century. World War I (1914-1918) devastates much of western Europe, killing five million civilians. In addition, Spanish influenza causes tens of millions of additional deaths. Many refugees try to return home after the war, only to discovered that their towns no longer exist. After the war, the Great Depression leaves millions around the without jobs and homes. After the Depression, another war devastates the world.
Humanity has never seen anything like World War II (1939-1945). Military and civilian dead total about 55 million, with Eastern Europe and East Asia suffering the heaviest losses. Afterward, thousands of refugees emigrate to U.S., Canada, Latin America, and Israel.
The last half of the twentieth century sees an explosion in world population accompanied by amazing advances in technology, science, consumer goods, communication, and all fields of knowledge. The art of cinema was invented and, along with its kid sister TV, begins to dominate popular imagination.