Final answer:
The early 1900s were marked by technological advancements post-Industrial Revolution, societal reforms, and rising mass literacy, especially due to educational reforms like those in France.
Step-by-step explanation:
The early nineteen hundreds, also known as the early 20th century, was a time of significant social, economic, and technological change. Following the Industrial Revolution, advancements in technology continued to transform societies. Mass literacy increased dramatically, with education reforms like those in France leading to nearly universal male literacy by the early 1900s. Social reforms improved public health and living conditions, and free public education became more widespread. The era prior to this, the 19th century, was also a time of peace after the Napoleonic wars, with technological advancements like steam and electricity altering the landscape of human productivity.