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2000s

The 2000s decade refers to the years from 2000 to 2009. However, informally, just as some Americans would say that the socio-cultural decade of the 1930s began with the 1929 stock market crash, others give differing dates for the beginning of the 2000s. more...

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For example, it could be considered that the decade began symbolically with the 9/11 attacks. Realistically, however, not yet having "the long view"—since we are still in midst of the decade—there is likely to be little agreement on the issue today.

Thus far, the 2000s has generally been marked with an escalation of the social issues of the 1990s, which included the increasing awareness of terrorism and the rapid expansion of economic globalization. Communications and telecommunications have advanced drastically, with the widespread proliferation of the Internet and mobile phones, among other things.

Most major political developments in the 2000s revolved around the War on Terrorism, which was triggered by the September 11, 2001 Attacks and the Moscow Theatre Siege, and led to the American war in Iraq. These and other events have dominated the news almost daily, including the many controversies regarding their consequences and justifications. The Iraq War, launched in 2003, has generated extreme controversy around the world, with many questioning its justification or questioning the United States' motives. Tensions have escalated in the Middle East regarding the War in Iraq, the Iranian nuclear crisis, Israel's month-long war against Hezbollah, and the election of Hamas in Israeli-occupied Palestine. North Korea has generated a nuclear crisis of its own by withdrawing from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and its reporting of a successful nuclear test.

Economic developments have largely focused on the explosion of Asia's economic and political potential, with China experiencing immense economic growth, moving toward the status of a regional power and billion-consumer market. India, along with many other developing countries, has seen a rapid increase in its economy, accelerated by increased technological integration with the economies of more developed countries. A trend connecting economic and political events in North America, Asia and the Middle East is the rapidly increasing demand for fossil fuels, which, along with fewer new petroleum finds, greater extraction costs and political turmoil, saw the price of gas and oil soar nearly 300% between 2000 and 2005.

Names of the decade

In contrast to the decades from 1920 to 1999, which are called "The Twenties," "The Thirties" and the like, the '00s have had no universally-accepted name. Some refer to the decade as the "two thousands," but many find that usage awkward and incorrect for a number of reasons—most notably the fact that the "two thousands" can also be seen as pertaining to the 21st century, or even the entire millennium. Written in numeral form, the decade can be written either as the "2000s" or as the "'00s". But looking for a name that has the same "feel" as 'The Nineties' or 'The Fifties' has been problematic, especially in the United States.