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Steam Engine
The date given represents when Thomas Savery invented the first steam engine. It was used to pump water out of coal mines. In 1712, Thomas Newcomen invented the atmospheric steam engine from Savery's original design. Then, in 1765, James Watt produced the first rotary motion steam engine, perfecting the steam engine. -
French Revolution
The Frech Revolution occured from 1789-1799. It is said to have begun with the meeting of the Estates General, which was followed by the storming of the Bastille the same year. The National Assembly was formed by the Jacobians, who then excecuted king Louis XVI and his wife, Marie Antoinette. The reign of terror occured under the rule of Robespierre, until the moderates gained control and Napolean took over. The main importance was that it abolished fuedalism. -
Haiti Revolution
The revolution in Haiti was the only time in history that slaves have overthrown the government. This was made possible because the white settlers were vastly outnumbered by their slaves. The date given above represents when a series of revolts were carried out by the mulattos, which were lead by Vincent Oge. The main leader of this revolution was Touissant. -
Mexican Independence
The date given represents when Father Miguel Hidalgo lead a revolt against spanish rule. His revolt was unsuccessful, Father Jose Maris Morelos attempted the same, but also failed. Once the Mexican-Borm Spainards and the Catholic church joined the fight, Spain was finally defeated in 1821. -
Congress of Vienna
The purpose of the congress of Vienna was to "restore legitamacy" in France. The lasting effect of this meeting was that it restored monarchies in France, Spain, Portugal, and Italian States. -
Opium War
The opium war was caused by British trade with China. The Chinese currency was silver, and since the British didn't have very much of that, they began to trade illegal.y with the drug opium. Once the oppium demand grew, China tried to stop using the drug, but eventually hostilities broke out. The date given represents the first opium war. This war was ended by the treaty of Nanjing in 1842. -
Communist Manifesto
Karl Marx wrote the memorable book The Communist Manifesto in 1848. It describes the goals and format of the Communist party, which would soon take a hold of many European nations. It contained the 10 planks, which explained how to take down a free enterprise system and replace it with a system of government power. -
Matthew Perry Goes to Japan
The United States Naval Officer, Matthew Perry, traved with the United States the try and open trade with Japan. After months of long, tireless work, Perry finally got what he had came for. The Japanese agreed to keep up a peaceful and friendly relationship with the US, open ports to american ships, help american ships, and gave americans permission to buy Japanese goods. -
Sepoy Mutiny
The Sepoys were a group of Indians trained by British soldiers (India was under British control at this time). They revolted in 1857 when they discovered that the British were disrespecting their traditions (sacred cows). By September 20, 1857, the British retook all land lost in the Sepoy Mutiny. -
Unification of Germany
Before the 19th century, Germany was divided into Germanic States, but by the time the 19th century came around, signs of unification began to rise. At the beginning, Austria and Prussia were the most powerful Germanic states. When Prussia was able to rise over Austria, the North German Confederation was formed. Eventually there was a war between Prussia and France over the French throne, and in the end the Prussian king was German emporer on January 18th, 1871. -
Berlin Confrence
The Berlin Confrence was held to settle issues with the European colonies in Africa. All leaders of countries that owned colonies in Africa met in Berlin. The purpose of the meeting was to garuntee free trade and navigation of the Congo river. By the end of the confrence, Africa had been divieded into 50 countires between the 14 countries at the confrence. -
Russo-Japanese War
The Russo-Japanese war was a conflict between Russia and Japan over land and expansion. It began when Russia took Manchuria and agreed to have Japanese troops moved out. This angered the Japanese and they took Port Arther in Februrary 1904. The Russian army was pushed back the Mukden , and the fighting ended in March 1905 with the withdrawl of Russian troops. -
Zulu Uprising
The Zulu uprising that I will discuss is the Bambatha Rebellion. This occured in 1906 when the British issued a tax after the Zulus began to drop out of the workplace, which the Zulus refused to pay. The rebellion failed and one leader, Bambatha, died while the other leader, Sigananda, was executed. 3000-4000 Zulus were killed. -
Dr. Sun Yat-sen Takes China
Dr. Sun Yat-sen was the pioneer of Nationalism in China. He is credited with overthrowing the Quing dynasty in China, and was the first president of the Republic of China in 1912. The date given (January 1, 1912) represents the first day of the first year of the Republic of China.
