Final answer:
The push for universal human rights in the twentieth century was largely a result of the Holocaust during World War II, which led to the UN's creation of several human rights declarations.
Step-by-step explanation:
The push for universal human rights protections in the twentieth century was significantly influenced by the events of World War II, particularly the horrific treatment of Jewish people during the Holocaust. The aftermath of the war highlighted the need for a global framework to protect human rights, leading to the establishment of universal declarations by the United Nations (UN), starting with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948. Declarations affirming the rights of women, children, and people with disabilities followed, emphasizing the ethos that all people are deserving of human rights and dignity.