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How did passports become mandatory for most international travel?

 title: 'Passport - Wikipedia'

The evolution of passports from mere travel documents to mandatory identification tools for international travel emerged significantly in the 20th century, particularly driven by wartime security following World War I. Before then, borders were often open or minimally regulated. However, heightened security concerns and the growth of bureaucracy necessitated standardized documents, leading to the 1920s' push for universal passport criteria under the League of Nations[5].

Early passport rules often excluded marginalized groups or controlled movements based on nationality, gender, or class. For instance, married women were frequently listed under their husbands' documents, restricting their autonomy[5]. Today, this complex history shapes modern airport systems, necessitating strict identification protocols for global travel[1][3].


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