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19th century

 

 

 

 

 

19th century


 
 
The 19th century of the Common EraCommon Era

The Common Era , sometimes known as the Current Era or as the Christian Era, is the period of measured time begi...
 began on January 1, 1801 and ended on December 31, 1900, according to the Gregorian calendarGregorian calendar

The Gregorian calendar is the calendar that is used nearly everywhere in the world....
.

During the 19th century, the SpanishSpanish Empire

The Spanish Empire was the first truly global empire....
, PortuguesePortuguese Empire

The Portuguese Empire was the first Global empire in history and also the earliest and longest lived of the western european...
, Chinese, and OttomanOttoman Empire

The Ottoman Empire , is also sometimes known in the West as the Turkish Empire....
 empires began to crumble and the Holy RomanHoly Roman Empire

The Holy Roman Empire was a mainly Central European conglomeration of lands in the Middle Ages and the early modern period, ...
 and MughalMughal Empire

The Mughal Empire, was an empire that at its greatest territorial extent ruled most of the Indian subcontinent, then known a...
 empires ceased.


After the Napoleonic WarsNapoleonic Wars

The Napoleonic Wars, a series of global conflicts fought during Napoleon Bonaparte's rule over France , formed to some exten...
, the British EmpireBritish Empire

The British Empire was the most extensive empire in world history and for a substantial time was not only a major power but ...
 became the world's leading power, controlling one quarter of the world's population and one third of the land area. It enforced a Pax BritannicaPax Britannica

Pax Britannica refers to a period of British imperialism after the 1815 Battle of Waterloo, which led to a period of ove...
, encouraged trade, and battled rampant piracyPiracy

Piracy is robbery committed at sea, or sometimes on the shore, by an agent without a commission from a sovereign nation....
. During this time the 19th century was an era of widespread invention and discovery, with significant developments in the understanding or manipulation of mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology, electricity, and metallurgy largely setting the groundworks for the comparably overwhelming and very rapid technological innovations which would take place the following century.

Modest advances in medicine and the understanding of human anatomy and disease prevention were also applicable to the 1800s, and were partly responsible for rapidly accelerating population growth in the western world.






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Timeline

1944   A hunter-killer group of the United States Navy captures the German submarine U-505, marking the first time a U.S. Navy vessel had captured an enemy vessel at sea since the 19th century.






Encyclopedia


The 19th century of the Common EraCommon Era

The Common Era , sometimes known as the Current Era or as the Christian Era, is the period of measured time begi...
 began on January 1, 1801 and ended on December 31, 1900, according to the Gregorian calendarGregorian calendar

The Gregorian calendar is the calendar that is used nearly everywhere in the world....
.

During the 19th century, the SpanishSpanish Empire

The Spanish Empire was the first truly global empire....
, PortuguesePortuguese Empire

The Portuguese Empire was the first Global empire in history and also the earliest and longest lived of the western european...
, Chinese, and OttomanOttoman Empire

The Ottoman Empire , is also sometimes known in the West as the Turkish Empire....
 empires began to crumble and the Holy RomanHoly Roman Empire

The Holy Roman Empire was a mainly Central European conglomeration of lands in the Middle Ages and the early modern period, ...
 and MughalMughal Empire

The Mughal Empire, was an empire that at its greatest territorial extent ruled most of the Indian subcontinent, then known a...
 empires ceased.


After the Napoleonic WarsNapoleonic Wars

The Napoleonic Wars, a series of global conflicts fought during Napoleon Bonaparte's rule over France , formed to some exten...
, the British EmpireBritish Empire

The British Empire was the most extensive empire in world history and for a substantial time was not only a major power but ...
 became the world's leading power, controlling one quarter of the world's population and one third of the land area. It enforced a Pax BritannicaPax Britannica

Pax Britannica refers to a period of British imperialism after the 1815 Battle of Waterloo, which led to a period of ove...
, encouraged trade, and battled rampant piracyPiracy

Piracy is robbery committed at sea, or sometimes on the shore, by an agent without a commission from a sovereign nation....
. During this time the 19th century was an era of widespread invention and discovery, with significant developments in the understanding or manipulation of mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology, electricity, and metallurgy largely setting the groundworks for the comparably overwhelming and very rapid technological innovations which would take place the following century.

Modest advances in medicine and the understanding of human anatomy and disease prevention were also applicable to the 1800s, and were partly responsible for rapidly accelerating population growth in the western world. The introduction of RailroadsRail transport

Rail transport is the transport of passengers and goods along railways or railroads....
 provided the first major advancement in land transportation for centuries, and their placement and application radically altered the ways people could live and rapidly and reliably obtain necessary commodities, fueling major urbanizationUrbanization

Urbanization or urbanisation is the increase over time in population or extent of cities and towns....
 movements in countries across the globe. Numerous cities worldwide surpassed populations of 1,000,000 or more during this century, the first time which cities surpassed the peak population of ancient RomeRome

Rome is the capital of Italy and of its region, called Latium....
. The last remaining undiscovered landmasses of Earth, largely pacific island chains and atolls, were discovered during this century, and with the exception of the extreme zones of the Arctic and Antarctic, accurate and detailed maps of the globe were available by the 1890s.



SlaverySlavery

Slavery is the social and legal designation of specific persons as property or chattel, for the purpose of providing labor a...
 was greatly reduced around the world. Following a successful slave revolt in HaitiFacts About Haďtian Revolution

The Haitian Revolution was the most successful of African slave rebellions in the Western Hemisphere....
, BritainUnited Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland

| align="center" colspan="2"| United Kingdom ofGreat Britain and Ireland...
 forced the Barbary piratesBarbary pirates

Though at least a proportion of them are better described as privateers, the Barbary pirates were pirates that operated ...
 to halt their practice of kidnapping and enslaving Europeans, banned slavery throughout its domainSlavery Abolition Act

The Slavery Abolition Act was an 1833 Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom abolishing slavery throughout the British ...
, and charged its navyRoyal Navy

The Royal Navy of the United Kingdom is the oldest of the British armed services ....
 with ending the global slave trade. Britain abolished slavery in 1834, AmericaUnited States

The United States of America, also known as the United States, the U.S., the U.S.A., and America, is...
's 13th AmendmentThirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution

Amendment XIII of the United States Constitution officially abolished slavery and, with the exception of allowing punishmen...
 following their Civil WarFacts About Civil war

A civil war is a war in which parties within the same culture, society or nationality fight for political power or control o...
 abolished slavery there in 1865, and in BrazilLei Áurea

The Lei urea, adopted on May 13, 1888, was the law that finally abolished slavery in Brazil....
 slavery was abolished in 1888 (see AbolitionismAbolitionism

Abolitionism was a political movement that sought to abolish the practice of slavery and the worldwide slave trade....
). Similarly, serfdomSerfdom

Serfdom refers to the legal and economic status of some peasants under feudalism, specifically in the manorial economic syst...
 was abolished in Russia.

The 19th century was remarkable in the widespread formation of new settlement foundations which were particularly prevalent across North AmericaNorth America

North America is a continent in the Earth's northern hemisphere and almost fully in the western hemisphere....
 and AustralasiaAustralasia

Australasia is a term variably used to describe a region of Oceania namely Australia, New Zealand, and neighbouring islands...
, with a significant proportion of the two continents' largest cities being founded at some point in the century.

Eras

  • Industrial revolutionIndustrial Revolution Overview

    The Industrial Revolution was the major technological, socioeconomic and cultural change in the late 18th and early 19th cen...
  • British Regency, Victorian eraVictorian era

    The Victorian era of Great Britain marked the height of the British industrial revolution and the apex of the British Empire...
     (UK, British EmpireBritish Empire

    The British Empire was the most extensive empire in world history and for a substantial time was not only a major power but ...
    )
  • Bourbon RestorationBourbon Restoration

    Following the ousting of Napoleon I of France in 1814, the Allies restored the Bourbon Dynasty to the French throne....
    , July Monarchy, French Second RepublicFrench Second Republic

    The French Second Republic was the republican regime of France from February 25, 1848 to December 2, 1851....
    , Second French EmpireSecond French Empire

    The Second French Empire or Second Empire was the imperial Bonapartist regime of Napoleon III from 1852 to 1870, betwe...
    , French Third RepublicFrench Third Republic

    The French Third Republic, was the governing body of France between the Second French Empire and the Vichy Regime....
  • Edo periodEdo period Overview

    The , also called Tokugawa period, is a division of Japanese history running from 1603 to 1867....
    , Meiji periodMeiji period

    The denotes the 45-year reign of Emperor Meiji, running from 8 September 1868 to 30 July 1912....
     (Japan)
  • Qing DynastyQing Dynasty

    The Qing Dynasty , occasionally known as the Manchu Dynasty, was a dynasty founded by the Manchu clan Aisin Gioro, in wh...
     (China)
  • TanzimatTanzimat

    ...
    , First Constitutional EraFirst Constitutional Era (Ottoman Empire)

    The First Constitutional Era of the Ottoman Empire was the period of constitutional monarchy from the promulgation of a Basi...
  • Russian EmpireRussian Empire

    The Russian Empire was a state that existed from 1721 until it was declared a republic in August 1917....
  • AmericanUnited States

    The United States of America, also known as the United States, the U.S., the U.S.A., and America, is...
     Manifest DestinyManifest Destiny

    Manifest Destiny is a phrase that expressed the belief that the United States had a mission to expand, spreading its form of...


Events


1800s

  • 1800: The Company of Surgeons are awarded their Royal CharterRoyal Charter

    A Royal Charter is a charter given by a monarch to legitimize an incorporated body, such as a city, company, university or s...
     and become The Royal College of Surgeons of EnglandRoyal College of Surgeons of England

    The Royal College of Surgeons of England is an independent professional body committed to promoting and advancing the highes...
    .
  • 1800: The inception of the Second Great AwakeningSecond Great Awakening

    The Second Great Awakening or the Great Revival was the second great religious revival in United States history and cons...
     for the United States.
  • 1801: The Kingdom of Great BritainKingdom of Great Britain

    Kingdom of Great Britain| align="center" colspan="2"|...
     and the Kingdom of IrelandKingdom of Ireland

    n>Kingdom of IrelandThe Kingdom of Ireland was the name given to the English-ruled Irish state in 1541, by an act of...
     merge to form the United KingdomUnited Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland

    | align="center" colspan="2"| United Kingdom ofGreat Britain and Ireland...
    .
  • 1801: Ranjit SinghMaharaja Ranjit Singh (Punjab)

    Maharaja Ranjit Singh, also called "Sher-e-Punjab" was a Sikh ruler of the sovereign country of Punjab and the Sikh Empi...
     crowned as KingKing

    A King may be:* A male monarch, or head of state; the female equivalent is styled queen...
     of Punjab.
  • 1801–15: Barbary War between the United StatesUnited States

    The United States of America, also known as the United States, the U.S., the U.S.A., and America, is...
     and the Barbary StatesBarbary States

    The states along the Barbary Coast, Algiers, Morocco, Tripoli, and Tunis, were collectively known as the Barbary States....
     of North AfricaNorth Africa

    North Africa or Northern Africa is the northernmost region of the African continent....
  • 1803: The United StatesUnited States

    The United States of America, also known as the United States, the U.S., the U.S.A., and America, is...
     buys out FranceFrance

    France, officially the French Republic, is a country whose metropolitan territory is located in Western Europe and whi...
    's territorial claims in North AmericaNorth America

    North America is a continent in the Earth's northern hemisphere and almost fully in the western hemisphere....
     via the Louisiana PurchaseLouisiana Purchase

    The Louisiana Purchase was the acquisition by the United States of more than 530,000,000 acres of territory from France in...
    . This begins the U.S.'s westward expansion to the Pacific referred to as its Manifest DestinyManifest Destiny

    Manifest Destiny is a phrase that expressed the belief that the United States had a mission to expand, spreading its form of...
     which involves annexing and conquering land from Mexico, Britain, and Native Americans.
  • 1803: Saudi WahhabistsFirst Saudi State

    The First Saudi State was established in the year 1744 when leader Sheikh Mohammed ibn Abd al Wahhab settled in Diriyah and ...
     conquered MeccaMecca

    Mecca or Makkah is the capital city of Saudi Arabia's Makkah province, in the historic Hijaz region....
     and destroyed various shrines.
  • 1804: HaitiHistory of Haiti

    The recorded history of Hati began when the island of Hispaniola was discovered by Christopher Columbus in December 1492....
     gains independence from FranceFrance

    France, officially the French Republic, is a country whose metropolitan territory is located in Western Europe and whi...
     and becomes the first black republic.
  • 1804: Austrian EmpireAustrian Empire

    The Austrian Empire was an empire centred on what is modern day Austria that lasted from 1804 to 1867....
     founded by Francis IFrancis II, Holy Roman Emperor

    Francis II, Holy Roman Emperor also referred to as Franz I, Emperor of Austria was the last Holy Roman Emperor, rul...
    .
  • 1804–10: Fulani JihadFulani War

    The Fulani War of 1804-1810, also known as the Fulani Holy War or Jihad of Usman dan Fodio, was a military conqu...
     in NigeriaNigeria

    Nigeria, officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a country in West Africa and the most populous country on the ...
    .
  • 1804–13: The First Serbian UprisingFirst Serbian Uprising Summary

    The First Serbian Uprising was an uprising from 1804-1813 in which Serbs living in Belgrade Pashaluk in the Ottoman Empire m...
     against OttomanOttoman Empire

    The Ottoman Empire , is also sometimes known in the West as the Turkish Empire....
     rule.
  • 1805–48: Muhammad AliMuhammad Ali of Egypt

    Muhammad Ali Pasha or Mehmet Ali Pasa in Turkish, was a viceroy of Egypt, and is often cited as the founder of modern ...
     modernizes EgyptEgypt

    Egypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, is a Middle Eastern country in North Africa....
    .
  • 1806: Holy Roman EmpireFacts About Holy Roman Empire

    The Holy Roman Empire was a mainly Central European conglomeration of lands in the Middle Ages and the early modern period, ...
     dissolved as a consequence of the Treaty of LunévilleTreaty of Lunéville

    The Treaty of Lunville was signed on February 9, 1801 between the French Republic and the Holy Roman Empire by Joseph Bonapa...
    .
  • 1807: Kingdom of Great BritainKingdom of Great Britain

    Kingdom of Great Britain| align="center" colspan="2"|...
     declares the Slave Trade illegal.
  • 1808–09: RussiaRussia

    Russia , also the Russian Federation , is a country that stretches over a vast expanse of Eurasia....
     conquers FinlandFinland

    The Republic of Finland , is one of the Nordic countries....
     from SwedenFacts About Sweden

    The Kingdom of Sweden is a Nordic country in Scandinavia....
     in the Finnish WarFinnish War

    The Finnish War was fought between Sweden and Russia from February 1808 to September 1809....
    .
  • 1808–14: SpanishSpanish people

    The Spanish people or Spaniards are the ethnic group or nation native to Spain, in the Iberian Peninsula of southweste...
     guerrillaGuerrilla warfare

    Guerrilla is a term borrowed from the Spanish guerrilla meaning small war, and used to describe small combat groups...
    s fight in the Peninsular WarPeninsular War Summary

    The Peninsular War was a major conflict during the Napoleonic Wars, fought on the Iberian Peninsula by Spanish, Portuguese, ...
    .
  • 1809: Napoleon strips the Teutonic KnightsTeutonic Knights Overview

    The Teutonic Knights or Teutonic Order is a German Roman Catholic religious order formed at the end of the 12th centur...
     of their last holdings in Bad MergentheimBad Mergentheim

    Bad Mergentheim is a town in the Main-Tauber district in the German state of Baden-Wrttemberg....
    .

1810s



  • 1810: The University of BerlinHumboldt University of Berlin

    The Humboldt University of Berlin is Berlin's oldest university, founded in 1810 as the University of Berlin by the li...
    , the world's first research university, is founded. Among its students and faculty are HegelGeorg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel

    Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel [] was a German philosopher born in Stuttgart, Wrttemberg, in present-day southwest Germany....
    , MarxKarl Marx

    Karl Heinrich Marx was an immensely influential German philosopher, political economist, and socialist revolutionary....
    , and BismarckOtto von Bismarck

    Otto Eduard Leopold, Prince von Bismarck, Duke of Lauenburg was one of the most prominent European aristocrats and statesme...
    . The German university reform proves to be so successful that its model is copied around the world (see History of European research universitiesHistory of European research universities

    uropean research universities have a long history that arguably dates back to the founding of the University of Bologna in 1088, a...
    ).
  • 1810s–20s: Most of the Latin American colonies free themselves from the SpanishSpanish Empire

    The Spanish Empire was the first truly global empire....
     and Portuguese EmpirePortuguese Empire

    The Portuguese Empire was the first Global empire in history and also the earliest and longest lived of the western european...
    s after the Mexican War of IndependenceMexican War of Independence

    The Mexican War of Independence, which started on September 16, 1810, was Mexico's struggle for independence from Spanish co...
     and the South American Wars of IndependenceSouth American Wars of Independence

    The South American Wars of Independence were fought in the 1810s and 1820s by colonies of Spain that desired to break free f...
    .
  • 1812: The French invasion of Russia is a turning point in the Napoleonic WarsNapoleonic Wars

    The Napoleonic Wars, a series of global conflicts fought during Napoleon Bonaparte's rule over France , formed to some exten...
    .
  • 1812–15: War of 1812War of 1812 Overview

    The War of 1812 was fought between the United States of America and Britain and its colonies in British North America from ...
     between the United StatesUnited States

    The United States of America, also known as the United States, the U.S., the U.S.A., and America, is...
     and the United KingdomUnited Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland

    | align="center" colspan="2"| United Kingdom ofGreat Britain and Ireland...
  • 1813–1907: The contest between the British EmpireBritish Empire Overview

    The British Empire was the most extensive empire in world history and for a substantial time was not only a major power but ...
     and Imperial Russia for control of Central AsiaCentral Asia

    Central Asia is a vast landlocked region of Asia....
     is referred to as the Great GameThe Great Game Summary

    The Great Game, a term usually attributed to Arthur Conolly, was used to describe the rivalry and strategic conflict between...
    .
  • 1815: The Congress of ViennaCongress of Vienna

    The Congress of Vienna was a conference between ambassadors from the major powers in Europe that was chaired by the Austrian...
     redraws the EuropeEurope

    Europe is one of the seven traditional continents of the Earth....
    an map. The Concert of EuropeConcert of Europe

    The Concert of Europe describes the broad cooperation between Europe's great powers after 1815....
     attempts to preserve this settlement, but it fails to stem the tide of liberalism and nationalism that sweeps over the continent.
  • 1815: Napoleon'sNapoleon I of France

    Napoleon I Bonaparte, Emperor of the French, King of Italy, Mediator of the Swiss Confederation and Protector of the Confede...
     defeat at WaterlooBattle of Waterloo

    The Battle of Waterloo, fought on June 18, 1815, was Napoleon Bonaparte's last battle....
     brings a conclusion to the Napoleonic WarsNapoleonic Wars

    The Napoleonic Wars, a series of global conflicts fought during Napoleon Bonaparte's rule over France , formed to some exten...
     and marks the beginning of a Pax BritannicaPax Britannica

    Pax Britannica refers to a period of British imperialism after the 1815 Battle of Waterloo, which led to a period of ove...
     which lasts until 1870.
  • 1816: Year Without a SummerYear Without a Summer Summary

    The Year Without a Summer, also known as the Poverty Year and Eighteen hundred and froze to death, was 1...
    : Unusually cold conditions wreak havoc throughout the Northern Hemisphere, likely caused by the 1815 explosion of Mount TamboraMount Tambora

    Mount Tambora is a stratovolcano on the Indonesian island of Sumbawa....
    .
  • 1816–28: ShakaShaka

    Shaka is widely credited with transforming the Zulu tribe from a small clan into the beginnings of a nation that held sway ...
    's ZuluZulu

    The Zulu are an African ethnic group of about 11 million people who live mainly in the province of KwaZulu-Natal, South Afr...
     kingdom becomes the largest in Southern AfricaSouthern Africa

    Southern Africa is the southernmost region of the African continent, variably defined by geography or geopolitics....
    .
  • 1819: The modern city of SingaporeSingapore

    Singapore, formally the Republic of Singapore , is an island city-state and the smallest country in Southeast Asia....
     is established by the British East India CompanyBritish East India Company

    The British East India Company, sometimes referred to as "John Company", was a joint-stock company which was granted a...
    .

1820s

  • 1820: LiberiaHistory of Liberia

    The History of Liberia is unique in Africa as it started neither as a native state nor as a European colony, but began in 1...
     founded by the American Colonization SocietyAmerican Colonization Society

    The American Colonization Society founded Liberia, a colony on the coast of West Africa in 1820 and transported free blacks ...
     for freed American slaves.
  • 1821: PeruPeru

    Peru, officially the Republic of Peru, is a country in western South America, bordering Ecuador and Colombia to the no...
     declares its independence from Spain
  • 1821–27: GreeceGreece

    GreeceGreece lies at the juncture of Europe, Asia, and Africa....
     becomes the first country to break away from the Ottoman EmpireOttoman Empire

    The Ottoman Empire , is also sometimes known in the West as the Turkish Empire....
     after the Greek War of IndependenceGreek War of Independence

    The Greek War of Independence, also known as the Greek Revolution, was a successful war waged by the Greeks to win ind...
    .
  • 1823–87: The British Empire annexed Burma (now called MyanmarMyanmar

    Myanmar, officially the Union of Myanmar is the largest country in geographical area in mainland Southeast Asia....
    ) after three Anglo-Burmese Wars.
  • 1825: Erie CanalErie Canal

    The Erie Canal is a canal in New York State, United States, that runs from the Hudson River to Lake Erie, connecting the Gr...
     opened connecting the Great LakesGreat Lakes Overview

    The Great Lakes are a group of five large lakes in North America on or near the Canada-United States border....
     to the Atlantic OceanAtlantic Ocean

    The Atlantic Ocean is the second-largest ocean, covering approximately one-fifth of the Earth's surface....
    .
  • 1826–28: After the final Russo-Persian WarRusso-Persian War, 1826-1828

    The Russo-Persian War of 1826-1828 was the last major military conflict between the Russian Empire and the Persian Empire....
    , the Persian EmpirePersian Empire

    The Persian Empire was a series of historical empires that ruled over the Iranian plateau and beyond....
     took back territory lost to Russia from the previous war.
  • 1825–28: The Argentina-Brazil WarArgentina-Brazil War

    The Argentina-Brazil War was an armed conflict that took during the 1820s between the United Provinces of the Río de la Plat...
     results in the independence of UruguayUruguay

    Uruguay, officially the Eastern Republic of Uruguay or the Republic East of the Uruguay , is a country located ...
    .

1830s

  • 1830: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day SaintsChurch of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

    The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, widely known as the LDS Church or the Mormon Church, is the lar...
     is established on April 6, 1830.
  • 1830: The Belgian RevolutionBelgian Revolution

    The Belgian Revolution was a conflict in the United Kingdom of the Netherlands that began with a riot in Brussels in August ...
     in the United Kingdom of the NetherlandsUnited Kingdom of the Netherlands

    United Kingdom of the Netherlands was the unofficial name used to refer to a new unified European state created from par...
     led to the creation of BelgiumBelgium

    The Kingdom of Belgium is a country in northwest Europe bordered by the Netherlands, Germany, Luxembourg and France and is...
    .
  • 1830: Greater ColombiaGreater Colombia

    Greater Colombia is the name given to the Republic of Colombia of 1819-1831, which was a short-lived republic in South...
     dissolved and the nations of ColombiaColombia

    The Republic of Colombia , is the northwesternmost country of South America....
     (including modern-day Panama), EcuadorEcuador

    Ecuador, officially the Republic of Ecuador is a country in northwestern South America, bounded by Colombia on the no...
    , and VenezuelaVenezuela

    Venezuela is a country on the northern tropical Caribbean coast of South America....
     took its place.
  • 1831: FranceFrance

    France, officially the French Republic, is a country whose metropolitan territory is located in Western Europe and whi...
     invades and occupies AlgeriaFrench rule in Algeria

    French rule of Algeria lasted from 1830 to 1962, under a variety of governmental systems....
    .
  • 1833: Slavery Abolition ActSlavery Abolition Act

    The Slavery Abolition Act was an 1833 Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom abolishing slavery throughout the British ...
     bans slavery throughout the British EmpireBritish Empire

    The British Empire was the most extensive empire in world history and for a substantial time was not only a major power but ...
    .
  • 1833–76: Carlist WarsCarlist Wars

    The Carlist Wars in Spain were the last major European civil wars in which pretenders fought to establish their claim to a t...
     in SpainSpain

    Spain, officially the Kingdom of Spain , is a European parliamentary monarchy....
    .
  • 1834: Spanish InquisitionSpanish Inquisition

    The Spanish Inquisition was established, in 1478, by Ferdinand and Isabella to maintain Catholic orthodoxy in their kingdoms...
     officially ends.
  • 1834–59: Imam ShamilFacts About Imam Shamil

    Imam Shamil was an Avar political and religious leader of the Muslim tribes of the Northern Caucasus....
    's rebellion in Russian-occupied CaucasusCaucasus

    The Caucasus or Caucasia is a region in Eurasia bordered on the south by Turkey and Iran in Asia, on the west by the B...
    .
  • 1835–36: The Texas RevolutionTexas Revolution

    The Texas Revolution was fought from October 2, 1835 to April 21, 1836 between Mexico and the Tejas portion of the Mexican...
     in MexicoMexico

    The United Mexican States, generally known as Mexico is a country located in North America, bordered at the north by t...
     resulted in the short-lived Republic of TexasRepublic of Texas

    The Republic of Texas was a short-lived country in North America between the United States and Mexico that existed from 1836...
    .
  • 1836: The Battle of the AlamoBattle of the Alamo

    The Battle of the Alamo was a 19th-century battle between the Republic of Mexico and the rebel Texan forces, including Teja...
    .
  • 1837–1838: Rebellions of 1837Rebellions of 1837

    The Rebellions of 1837 were a pair of Canadian armed uprisings that occurred in 1837 and 1838 in response to frustrations in...
     in CanadaCanada

    Canada is the world's second-largest country by total area, occupying most of northern North America....
    .
  • 1837–1901: Queen VictoriaVictoria of the United Kingdom Summary

    Victoria was the Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland from 20 June 1837, and the first Empress of India...
    's reign is considered the apex of the British EmpireBritish Empire

    The British Empire was the most extensive empire in world history and for a substantial time was not only a major power but ...
     and is referred to as the Victorian eraVictorian era Summary

    The Victorian era of Great Britain marked the height of the British industrial revolution and the apex of the British Empire...
    .
  • 1838-401840

    1840 was a leap year starting on Wednesday ....
    : Civil war in the Federal Republic of Central AmericaFederal Republic of Central America

    The Federal Republic of Central America was a short-lived Latin American state in Central America....
     led to the foundings of GuatemalaGuatemala

    Guatemala, officially the Republic of Guatemala , is a country in Central America, in the south part of North America,...
    , El SalvadorEl Salvador

    El Salvador is a country in Central America with a population of approximately 6.9 million people....
    , HondurasHonduras

    Honduras, officially the Republic of Honduras, is a country in Central America, bordered to the west by Guatemala, to ...
    , NicaraguaNicaragua

    Nicaragua is a republic in Central America....
    , and Costa RicaCosta Rica

    Costa Rica, officially the Republic of Costa Rica , is a country in Central America, bordered by Nicaragua to the nort...
    .
  • 1839-511851

    1851 was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar ....
    : Uruguayan Civil WarUruguayan Civil War Overview

    The Uruguayan Civil War, also known as "Guerra Grande", was a series of armed conflicts that took place between the Co...
  • 1839-601860

    1860 was a leap year starting on Sunday. ...
    : After two Opium WarsOpium Wars

    The Opium Wars were two wars that were the climax of a long dispute between Britain and China....
    , France, the United Kingdom, the United States and RussiaRussia

    Russia , also the Russian Federation , is a country that stretches over a vast expanse of Eurasia....
     gained many concessions from ChinaChina

    China is a cultural region and ancient civilization in East Asia....
     resulting in the decline of the Qing DynastyQing Dynasty

    The Qing Dynasty , occasionally known as the Manchu Dynasty, was a dynasty founded by the Manchu clan Aisin Gioro, in wh...
    .



1840s

  • 1840: New ZealandNew Zealand

    New Zealand is a country in the south-western Pacific Ocean consisting of two large islands and many much smaller islands, m...
     is founded, as the Treaty of WaitangiTreaty of Waitangi

    The Treaty of Waitangi was signed on February 6, 1840 at Waitangi in the Bay of Islands, New Zealand....
     is signed by the MaoriMaori

    The word Maori refers to the indigenous people of New Zealand and to their language....
     and BritishUnited Kingdom Summary

    The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is a country and sovereign state that lies off the northwest coast...
    .
  • 1844: First publicly funded telegraph line in the world - between Baltimore and Washington - sends demonstration message on May 24, ushering in the age of the telegraph.
  • 1844: MilleriteMillerites

    The Millerite tradition is a diverse family of denominations and Bible study movements that have arisen since the middle of ...
     movement awaits the Second Advent of Jesus Christ on October 22. Christ's non-appearance becomes known as the Great DisappointmentGreat Disappointment

    The Great Disappointment was a period in the early history of certain Christian denominations in the United States, which be...
    .
  • 1844: Persian Prophet the BábBAB

    BAB may refer to:* Bayonne-Anglet-Biarritz, a Communaut d'agglomration of south west France...
     announces his revelation, founding Bábísm. He announced to the world of the coming of "He whom God shall make manifestHe whom God shall make manifest

    He whom God shall make manifest is a messianic figure predicted by the Báb within his book the Bayán that would come after h...
    ." He is considered the forerunner of Bahá'u'lláhBahá'u'lláh Overview

    Bah'u'llh, born ', was the founder and prophet of the Bah' Faith....
    , the founder of the Bahá'í FaithBahá'í Faith

    The Bah' Faith is a religion founded by Bah'u'llh in 19th century Persia....
    .
  • 1844: Dominican War of IndependenceDominican War of Independence

    The Dominican War of Independence was a 19th century conflict in which the Dominican Republic declared independence from Hai...
     from HaitiHaiti

    Haiti , officially the Republic of Haiti, occupies one third of the Caribbean island of Hispaniola, and also includes ...
    .
  • 1845: Unification of the Kingdom of TongaTonga

    Tonga, officially the Kingdom of Tonga, , is an independent archipelago in the southern Pacific Ocean....
     under Taufa?ahauGeorge Tupou I of Tonga

    George Tupou I, King of Tonga, originally known as Taufaahau I with some extra names: Tupou Maeakafaua Ngininginiofola...
     (King George Tupou I)
  • 1845–491849

    1849 was a common year starting on Monday ....
    : The Irish Potato Famine led to the Irish diasporaIrish diaspora

    The Irish diaspora consists of Irish emigrants and their descendants in countries such as the United States, the United King...
    .
  • 1846–481848 Overview

    1848 was a leap year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ...
    : The Mexican-American War leads to MexicoMexico

    The United Mexican States, generally known as Mexico is a country located in North America, bordered at the north by t...
    's cession of much of the modern-day Southwestern United StatesSouthwestern United States

    The southwestern United States is a region of the western United States, warmer than the northern states and drier than the ...
    .
  • 1846–471847

    1847 was a common year starting on Friday ....
    : MormonHistory of the Latter Day Saint movement

    The Latter Day Saint movement is a religious movement within Christian Restorationism beginning in the early 19th century th...
     migration to UtahFacts About Utah

    Utah is a U.S. state located in the western United States....
    .
  • 1847–1901: The Caste War of YucatánCaste War of Yucatán

    The Caste War of Yucatn began with the revolt of native Maya people of Yucatn against the population of European descent in ...
    .
  • 1848: The Communist ManifestoThe Communist Manifesto Overview

    The Communist Manifesto was first published on February 21, 1848, and is one of the world's most influential political trac...
    published.
  • 1848: Revolutions of 1848Revolutions of 1848

    The European Revolutions of 1848, known in some countries as the Spring of Nations or the Year of Revolution, we...
     in EuropeEurope Summary

    Europe is one of the seven traditional continents of the Earth....
  • 1848-581858

    1858 is a common year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar . ...
    : California Gold RushCalifornia Gold Rush

    The California Gold Rush was a period in California history marked by world-wide interest following the discovery of gold i...


1850s



  • 1850: The Little Ice AgeLittle Ice Age

    The Little Ice Age was a period of cooling occuring after a warmer era known as the Medieval climate optimum....
     ends around this time.
  • 1851: The Great Exhibition in London was the world's first international Expo or World's Fair.
  • 1851–60s1860s

    Events and trends...
    : Victorian gold rushVictorian gold rush

    The Victorian gold rush was a period in the history of Victoria in Australia between approximately 1851 and the early 1860s....
     in AustraliaAustralia

    Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland o...
  • 1851–641864

    1864 was a leap year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar or a leap year starting on Sunday of the 12-day-slower J...
    : The Taiping RebellionTaiping Rebellion

    The Taiping Rebellion was perhaps the bloodiest civil war in human history, a clash between the forces of the Qing Empire in...
     in ChinaChina

    China is a cultural region and ancient civilization in East Asia....
     is the bloodiest conflict of the century.
  • 1854: The Convention of KanagawaConvention of Kanagawa

    On March 31, 1854, the or was concluded between Commodore Matthew Perry of the U.S....
     formally ends JapanJapan

    is an island country in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of China, Korea, and Russia, stretching from...
    's policy of isolationSakoku

    Sakoku was the foreign relations policy of Japan, whereby nobody, whether foreign or Japanese, could enter or leave the coun...
    .
  • 1854–561856

    1856 was a leap year starting on Tuesday ....
    : Crimean WarCrimean War

    The Crimean War lasted from 28 March 1853 until 1 April 1856 and was fought between Imperial Russia on one side and an allia...
     between France, the United Kingdom, the Ottoman EmpireOttoman Empire

    The Ottoman Empire , is also sometimes known in the West as the Turkish Empire....
     and RussiaRussia

    Russia , also the Russian Federation , is a country that stretches over a vast expanse of Eurasia....
  • 1855: Bessemer processBessemer process

    The Bessemer process was the first inexpensive industrial process for the mass-production of steel from molten pig iron....
     enables steelSteel

    Steel is a metal alloy whose major component is iron, with carbon content between 0.02% and 1.7% by weight....
     to be mass produced.
  • 1856: World's first oil refineryOil refinery

    An oil refinery is an industrial process plant where crude oil is processed and refined into useful petroleum products, such...
     in RomaniaRomania

    Romania: is a country in Southeastern Europe....
  • 1857–581858

    1858 is a common year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar . ...
    : Indian Rebellion of 1857Indian rebellion of 1857 Summary

    The Indian rebellion of 1857 was a prolonged period of armed uprisings as well as rebellions in Northern and Central India ...
  • 1859: The Origin of SpeciesThe Origin of Species

    First published on November 24, 1859, The Origin of Species by English naturalist Charles Darwin is one of the pivotal ...
     published.

1860s



  • 1861–651865

    1865 is a common year starting on Sunday....
    : American Civil WarAmerican Civil War

    The American Civil War was a sectional conflict in the United States of America between the federal government and 11 Sout...
     between the UnionUnion (American Civil War)

    During the American Civil War, the Union was a name used to refer to the United States, the twenty-three northern states tha...
     and seceding ConfederacyConfederate States of America

    The Confederate States of America was the government formed by eleven southern states of the USA between 1861 and 1865....
  • 1861: Russia abolishes serfdom.
  • 1861–671867

    1867 was a common year starting on Tuesday ....
    : French intervention in MexicoFrench intervention in Mexico

    The French intervention in Mexico, also known as the Maximilian Affair, was an invasion of Mexico by the army of the S...
  • 1862–1877: Muslim RebellionDungan revolt

    The Dungan Revolt was a religious war....
     in northwest ChinaChina

    China is a cultural region and ancient civilization in East Asia....
    .
  • 1863: Formation of the International Red CrossInternational Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement

    The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement is an international humanitarian movement whose stated mission is to p...
     is followed by the adoption of the First Geneva ConventionFirst Geneva Convention

    The First Geneva Convention is one of several Geneva Conventions....
     in 1864.
  • 1863–1865: Polish uprising against the Russian EmpireRussian Empire Summary

    The Russian Empire was a state that existed from 1721 until it was declared a republic in August 1917....
    .
  • 1864-661866

    1866 is a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar or a common year starting on Wednesday of the 12-day-slo...
    : The Chincha Islands WarChincha Islands War

    The Chincha Islands War was a series of coastal and naval battles between Spain and its former colonies of Peru and Chile fr...
     was an attempt by Spain to regain its South American colonies.
  • 1864-701870

    1870 was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar or a common year starting on Monday of the 12-day-sl...
    : The War of the Triple AllianceWar of the Triple Alliance

    The War of the Triple Alliance, also known as the Paraguayan War, was fought from 1864 to 1870, and was one of the blo...
     ends Paraguayan ambitions for expansion and destroys much of the Paraguayan population.
  • 1865-771877

    1877 was a common year starting on Monday ....
    : Reconstruction in the United StatesUnited States

    The United States of America, also known as the United States, the U.S., the U.S.A., and America, is...
    ; Slavery is banned in the United States by the Thirteenth Amendment to the United States ConstitutionThirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution

    Amendment XIII of the United States Constitution officially abolished slavery and, with the exception of allowing punishmen...
    .
  • 1865-April 9, 1865 Robert E. LeeRobert E. Lee

    Robert Edward Lee was a career U.S....
     surrenders the Army of Northern VirginiaArmy of Northern Virginia Summary

    The Army of Northern Virginia was the primary military force of the Confederate States of America in the Eastern Theater of...
     (26,765 troops) to Ulysses S. GrantUlysses S. Grant

    Ulysses S. Grant was an American soldier and politician who was elected the 18th President of the United States ....
     at Appomattox Courthouse, Virginia, effectively ending the American Civil WarAmerican Civil War

    The American Civil War was a sectional conflict in the United States of America between the federal government and 11 Sout...
    .
  • 1865-April 15, 1865, United StatesUnited States

    The United States of America, also known as the United States, the U.S., the U.S.A., and America, is...
     PresidentPresident

    President is a title held by many leaders of organizations, companies, trade unions, universities, and countries....
     Abraham LincolnAbraham Lincoln

    Abraham Lincoln , sometimes called Abe Lincoln and nicknamed Honest Abe, the Rail Splitter, and the Gre...
     is assassinated while attending a performance at Fords theater, Washington, DC.
  • 1866: Successful transatlantic telegraph cableTransatlantic telegraph cable

    The Transatlantic telegraph cable was a telegraph cable that crossed the Atlantic Ocean from Valentia Island, in western Ire...
     follows an earlier attempt in 1858.
  • 1866: Austro-Prussian WarAustro-Prussian War

    The AustroPrussian War was a war fought between the Austrian Empire and its German allies and Prussia with its German and It...
     results in the dissolution of the German ConfederationGerman Confederation

    The German Confederation was the association of Central European states created by the Congress of Vienna in 1815 to organiz...
     and the creation of the North German ConfederationNorth German Confederation

    North German Federation, came into existence in 1867, following the dissolution of the German Confederation....
     and the Austrian-Hungarian Dual MonarchyFacts About Austria-Hungary

    Austria-Hungary, also known as the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Dual Monarchy or k.u.k....
    .
  • 1866-1868: Famine in FinlandFinnish famine of 1866-1868

    The Famine of 18661868 was the last famine in Finland and the last major naturally caused famine in Europe....
    .
  • 1866-691869 Overview

    1869 is a common year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar or a common year starting on Sunday of the 12-day-slowe...
    : After the Meiji RestorationMeiji Restoration

    The , also known as the Meiji Ishin, Revolution, or Renewal, was a chain of events that led to a change in Japan...
    , JapanJapan

    is an island country in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of China, Korea, and Russia, stretching from...
     embarks on a program of rapid modernizationFacts About Modernization

    Modernization is a concept in the sphere of social sciences that refers to process in which society goes through industriali...
    .
  • 1867: The United StatesUnited States

    The United States of America, also known as the United States, the U.S., the U.S.A., and America, is...
     purchased AlaskaAlaska purchase

    ...
     from RussiaRussia

    Russia , also the Russian Federation , is a country that stretches over a vast expanse of Eurasia....
    .
  • 1867: Canadian ConfederationCanadian Confederation

    Canadian Confederation, or the Confederation of Canada, was the process by which the federal dominion of Canada was fo...
     formed.
  • 1869: First Transcontinental RailroadFirst Transcontinental Railroad

    The First Transcontinental Railroad in the United States was built across North America in the 1860s, linking the railway ne...
     completed in United StatesFacts About United States

    The United States of America, also known as the United States, the U.S., the U.S.A., and America, is...
    .
  • 1869: The Suez CanalSuez Canal

    The Suez Canal , west of the Sinai Peninsula, is a 163-km-long and, at its narrowest point, 300-m-wide maritime canal in E...
     opens linking the MediterraneanMediterranean Sea

    The Mediterranean Sea is a part of the Atlantic Ocean almost completely enclosed by land: on the north by Europe, on the sou...
     to the Red SeaRed Sea

    The Red Sea is an inlet of the Indian Ocean between Africa and Asia....
    .

1870s



  • 1870-711871 Summary

    1871 was a common year starting on Sunday ....
    : The Franco-Prussian WarFranco-Prussian War

    The Franco-Prussian War was declared by France on Prussia, which was backed by the North German Confederation and the south...
     results in the unifications of GermanyGerman Empire

    The German Empire is the name conventionally given in English to the German state from the time of the proclamation of Will...
     and Italy