Rogelio Beltran
Between 2005 and 2015, the world underwent rapid and transformative changes that reshaped politics, society, technology, and global relations. The rise of social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube revolutionized communication, activism, and political discourse, allowing information to spread at an unprecedented rate. Simultaneously, the 2008 financial crisis devastated economies worldwide, leading to foreclosures, bank failures, and a global recession that took years to recover.Politically, Barack Obama’s election in 2008 marked a historic moment. He became the first African American U.S. president and advocated for progressive reforms, including the Affordable Care Act. Meanwhile, climate change and natural disasters, such as Hurricane Katrina and the 2010 Haiti earthquake, highlighted the growing concerns about environmental sustainability.Technology rapidly advanced during this period, with smartphones becoming a dominant force in daily life. Innovations such as artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and the introduction of Bitcoin in 2009 laid the groundwork for the digital economy. Social movements gained momentum, with the Arab Spring, Occupy Wall Street, and Black Lives Matter shaping political and social activism.On the global stage, the U.S. remained involved in conflicts in the Middle East, including the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Meanwhile, health crises such as the H1N1 pandemic and the opioid epidemic emerged as major public health concerns. As the world moved toward the mid-2010s, these developments signaled the dawn of a transformative era that continues to shape the present and future.
