My first intuitive reaction would be to interpret “the 1900s” as early XX century. I would not expect, say, the 80s and the 90s to be part of “the 1900s”.
I think my brain latches onto associations with 00s (2000s) and 90s (1990s) and that makes “the 1900s” a bit disorienting. On the other hand phrases like “the 1700s” are fine, so you not technically wrong in using the expression, it’s just… awkwardly associative.
My first intuitive reaction would be to interpret “the 1900s” as early XX century. I would not expect, say, the 80s and the 90s to be part of “the 1900s”.
I wonder if that reaction can be avoided by saying something like “all the 1900s”.
I think my brain latches onto associations with 00s (2000s) and 90s (1990s) and that makes “the 1900s” a bit disorienting. On the other hand phrases like “the 1700s” are fine, so you not technically wrong in using the expression, it’s just… awkwardly associative.