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Steam Engine
In 1769, James Watt filed a patent on the his seperate condensor on the original steam engine, improving the previous inventor's device. The original steam engine was invented in 1712 by Thomas Newcomen, but it was flawed and worked only to pump water out of the mines. Watt began to improve it by using a seperate condensor, which made it more powerful and reliable. He patented this and it spread throughout England until about 1/5 of the country was using it, powering the Industrial Revolution. -
Storming of Bastille / Start of the French Revolution
On this day, the people who formed the National Assembly and took the Tennis Court Oath when barred out of the Estates-General stormed the Bastille. The Bastille was a prison in France and the reason they did this was to aquire weapons. They wished to do this because they'd heard that King Louis XVI was planning to take them down and they wanted to be armed. After this began the start of the French Revolution. -
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French Revolution
The French Revolution had its ties back when the people made their Tennis Court Oath and started the National Assemby after being barred from the Estates-General. They heard that King Louis XVI was plotting against them so they stromed the Bastille in order to get weapons. A few days later, they went to the palace of Versailles to force the royal family to Paris. They were executed three years later, followed by the Reign of Terror and ending with the rule of Napoleon. -
Haitian Revolution
Haiti was a French colony. In 1791, the National Assembly passed a law saying that men born into free parents would be considered full citizens. The slave owners refused to pass this law and the slaves revolted with the help of Toussaint L'Ouverture, while Spain and Britian helped out France as they didn't want an independent country of slaves to inspire other uprisings. Toussaint was captured and sent to prison, where he died but when a new geneal took over, he won and they were free in 1804. -
Congress of Vienna PICTURE
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Congress of Vienna
The Congress of the Vienna brought together rulers and diplomats from around Europe to discuss the fate of France after Napoleon. It lasted from September to June of the next year and brought back traditional court life. The point was to create a peace settlement, for which after there was no war for at least 100 years except for the Italian war for unification. In the meeting itself, they redrew the boundaries of Europe, adding and giving to other countries until they had a balance of power. -
Independence of Mexico
King Ferdinand VII of Spain was imprisoned by the French. Supporting the king, criollos tried to rebel and make Mexico independent under his rule. They were crushed and when the King returned, he thought they were against him and highly taxed them, losing their trust. But the King's power was weak so they revolted. Instead of fighting, they worked it out peacefully so that Mexico would be independent. On October 4th, it became a republic after people disagreed with the poor governing. -
Opium War
Britian wanted Chinese goods but China didn't want any Britian goods, so Britian had to use silver to pay for it. Britian found out how to cultivate opium and traded with Chinese merchants, eventually making it illegal as it made 1% of the population addicted. China cracked down, causing war in 1839 which Britian quickly defeated China, humiliating them. The Treaty of Nanjing was created, making Chinese trades and customs overseen by Britian and they were forced to allow Europe ambassadors in. -
Communist Manifesto
Written in 1848, this document let people know exactly what the Communist Party's intentions were. Written by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels, it explains their morals and the basis of their ideals. It also wishes to get rid of social classes and let socialism take over captialism. This document is one of the most influential political documents in history. Although its goal to spread communism failed, scholars like to study it for its philosophical ideas and why exactly it failed. -
Matt Perry goes to Japan
Japan was a closed off and mysterious island that only a few Dutch and Chinese traders were allowed to visit. The United States sent Matt Perry and his fleet to Japan. After long weeks of talking, he got a treaty that allowed peace/friendship between them, two open ports, help for wrecked American ships, and allowance of Americans to purchase Japanese products. They broke down barriers between the two countries and allowed communication between the two, opening Japan to the world. -
Sepoy Mutiny
The British Indian Army had 232,000 Indian sepoys hired to keep everything in line. When they had a new rifle that required biting off the ends that had beef and pork lard on it, the Indians refused because it went against their religion. They were punished and the sepoy rebelled, spreading around the area and causing wars between the two. In July 1858 peace was made, although British racism was extremely pronounced. Also, it got rid of the powerful rule that the East India Company had. -
Unification of Germany
In the early 19th century, Germany was made of 39 states. Prussia began to attack the others and take them over to add on more land. The southern German states joined with the Northern German, unofficially led by Prime Minister Otto Von Bismarck. Before, it had failed to be created in the 1848 Revolutions. Austria lost to Prussia and the southern states eventually were ruled by Prussia, so Prussia eventually gained control of the states. After fighting France, it truly because a unified Germany. -
Berlin Conference PICTURE
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Berlin Conference
This was a conference among European powers to split up the African continent for control. Without considering cultures, traditions, or the tribes already there, they started to reconfigure the borders. The effects of this can still be seen today. Otto von Bismarck called this meeting and by the end of it, Africa was split into 50 different countries belonging to European nations. This has wrecked havoc on Africa with long term effects, including political problems and problems with enemies. -
Russo-Japanese War PICTURE
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Russo-Japanese War
Russia and Japan found themselves at war over land in Korea and Manchuria. The war was started after a surprise attack on the Russians in Port Arthur by the Japanese navy. After many quick Japanese victories, Russia was shocked and a good part of their fleet was destroyed. President Roosevelt brought the two countries to peace but this loss was one of the direct reasons for the Russian Revolution against the czars. -
Zulu Uprising
After the Anglo-Boer war, many of the Zulu black people didn't want to work for the white people, choosing to work in mines instead, ruining the economy. To fix it, they made a tax on the Zulus which many refused to pay and a man named Bambatha lead a rebellion against the white people in Natal. They were no match for the white men's guns and Bambatha was killed in the process. Many Zulus were killed in the process of trying to get rid of the tax and defeating the whites. -
Dr. Sun Yat-sen takes over China
Dr. Sun Yat-sen was a radical who was displeased with his countries policies and refusal of technology, so he decided to start a revolution and take over. After many failed attempts and secret organizations, one rebellion finally managed to take down the government and on January 1st, he formed the People's Republic of China. He created the Chinese Nationalist party and spread nationalism.
