Events - Browse By Major Periods - Enlightenment/Industrial Revolution (1753 to 1843)

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"Apollo and the Four Continents" by Giovanni Battista Tiepolo
1753
Arts, Germany
Benjamin Franklin proposes a confederation of Britain's American colonies
1754
Government, United States
Quakers in Pennsylvania & New Jersey publish tracts condemning slavery
1754
Human Rights, United States
Fort Duquesne built by French at location that is currently Pittsburgh
1754
War, United States
Samuel Johnson publishes "Dictionary of English Language"
1755
Education, United Kingdom
Lisbon destroyed by earthquake
1755
Disaster, Portugal
Indians attack fort of British East India Company & put prisoners in Black Hole
1756
War, India
Robert Clive wins Battle of Plassey after bribing the enemy's military commander
1757
War, India
Frederick the Great defeats French and allies at Battles of Rossbach and Leuthen
1757
War, Europe
Tide begins to turn for British against the French in the Seven Years' War
1758
War, North America
Adam Smith publishes The Theory of Moral Sentiments
1759
Philosophy, United Kingdom
General Wolfe is killed as British capture Quebec
1759
War, Canada
In India, the decisive battle was lost by the French at Wandiwash near Pondicherry
1760
War, India
Landmark publication by Morgagni on human anatomy
1761
Science, Italy
Catherine becomes empress of Russia after seizing power from her husband
1762
Government, Russia
Rousseau publishes The Social Contract, or Principles of Political Right
1762
Philosophy, France
At the Peace of Paris, French lose and Poland becomes a satellite of Russia
1763
War, Europe
Abigail Adams supports the equality of men and women
1764
Human Rights, United States
American colonists react to Stamp Act: "No taxation without representation"
1765
Government, United States
Nepal declares itself a kingdom in 1768
1768
Government, Nepal
John Witherspoon becomes President of the College of New Jersey (Princeton)
1768
Education, United States
James Watt patents new steam engine that dispenses with hot-cold routine
1769
Invention, Scotland
Captain Cook travels to Tahiti to determine distance from Venus to Earth
1769
Discovery, Pacific Islands
Captain Cook charts the eastern coast of Australia
1770
Discovery, Austral Realm
Struensee, the king's physician, becomes dictator in Denmark
1770
Government, Denmark
Major defeat of Ottomans by Russian fleet in the Mediterranean Sea
1770
War, Europe
The discovery of Nitrogen in 1772 brought on an agricultural revolution
1772
Science, Scotland
Partition of Poland agreed to by Russia, Prussia, and Austria
1772
War, Poland
Lord Mansfield frees a slave--the beginning of the emancipation movement
1772
Human Rights, United Kingdom
John Harrison receives reward for invention of marine chronometer
1773
Transportation, United Kingdom
American colonists respond to increase in taxes with Boston Tea Party
1773
Government, United States
Clement XIV abolishes the Society of Jesus
1773
Religion, Europe
Treaty of Kuchuk-Kainarji marks defeat of Ottoman Empire by Russia
1774
Peace, Bulgaria
George Washington becomes commander of Continental Army
1775
War, United States
Goethe writes The Sorrows of Young Werther and creates "Werther Fever"
1775
Arts, Germany
William Withering discovers cardiotonic properties of the foxglove plant
1775
Health, British Isles
Rio de la Plata, with capital in Buenos Aires, becomes fourth viceroyalty
1776
Government, Argentina
Georgia & South Carolina are the only states legally importing slaves from Africa
1776
Human Rights, United States
Washington crosses the Delaware and defeats German mercenaries at Trenton
1776
War, United States
American Declaration of Independence signed in Philadelphia
1776
Government, United States
Edward Gibbon publishes "The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire"
1776
Education, United Kingdom
Adam Smith publishes "The Wealth of Nations," the first modern study of economics
1776
Philosophy, United Kingdom
Americans seize momentum as Burgoyne surrenders at Saratoga
1777
War, United States
Benjamin Franklin's diplomatic feat: France recognizes American independence
1778
War, Europe & America
Battle of Monmouth
1778
War, United States
Wedgwood builds successful earthenware mass-production industry
1779
Trade, United Kingdom
Captain Cook is killed by Hawaii islanders
1779
Discovery, Pacific Islands
Protestant mobs in Britain cry "No Popery" and burn Catholic churches
1780
Religion, United Kingdom
Joseph II gains complete control on death of his mother, Empress Maria Theresa
1780
Government, Austria
First Iron Bridge opens in Shropshire, England
1781
Transportation, United Kingdom
Tupac Amaru II, a Jesuit-educated Incan, is executed after leading a revolt
1781
War, Peru
Cornwallis surrenders at Yorktown
1781
War, United States
British parliament begins peace negotiations with the American Congress
1783
Peace, Global
Montgolfier brothers demonstrate hot-air balloon flight
1783
Invention, France
Newburgh Conspiracy: Washington leads fellow officers in Newburgh Address
1783
War, United States
Kant publishes 'What is Enlightenment"
1784
Philosophy, Europe
Andrew Meikle invents threshing machine
1786
Invention, United Kingdom
Immanuel Kant publishes the second edition of "Critique of Pure Reason"
1787
Philosophy, Global
"Mrs. Richard Brinsley Sheridan" by Thomas Gainsborough
1787
Arts, United Kingdom
The Constitution of the United States is signed in Philadelphia
1787
Government, United States
The first convicts from Britain are delivered to the penal colony in Australia
1788
Geography, Austral Realm
The Times of London begins--first by reporting scandal and later real news
1788
Culture, United Kingdom
Immanuel Kant publishes "Critique of Practical Reason"
1788
Philosophy, Global
Alexander Hamilton becomes first U.S. Secretary of the Treasury
1789
Government, United States
French Revolution begins with the storming of the Bastille
1789
War, France
French declare the universal rights of man
1789
Human Rights, France
George Washington becomes first president of the United States
1789
Government, United States
Mozart's Magic Flute premieres in Vienna
1791
Music, Austria
French Assembly passes the Civil Constitution of the Clergy
1791
Government, France
French defeat invading Austro-Prussian army at Battle of Valmy
1792
War, France
Mary Wollstonecraft publishes "Vindication of the Rights of Women"
1792
Human Rights, Europe
French Revolution continues as mob storms the Tuileries Palace
1792
War, France
Russia annexes Crimea from Ottomans under the Treaty of Jassy
1792
Peace, Global
British East India Company troops defeat Tippoo in the Third Mysore War
1792
War, India
Gustav III, King of Sweden, promotes Enlightenment until assassinated
1792
Government, Sweden
The French Revolutionary Wars were imploding in 1793 after several defeats
1793
War, Europe
Lord Macartney's trade mission from Great Britain arrives in China
1793
Trade, China
Fugitive Slave Act makes criminal assisting runaway slaves
1793
Human Rights, United States
In January, King Louis XVI executed by guillotine
1793
Government, France
Thomas Jefferson resigns as Secretary of State
1793
Government, United States
In October, Queen Marie Antoinette executed by guillotine
1793
Government, France
In September, Robespierre's Jacobins begin Reign of Terror
1793
Government, France
In June, French declare Montagnard Constitution the legal framework for Republic
1793
Government, France
In April, Robespierre's Jacobins take control as the Committee of Public Safety
1793
Government, France
"Death of Marat" by Jacques-Louis David
1793
Arts, France
Robespierre is executed by guillotine
1794
Government, France
Third partition of Poland follows revolt against Russian rule led by Kosciuszko
1795
War, Poland
Warren Hasting, the first governor-general of India, is impeached and acquitted
1795
Government, United Kingdom
Immanuel Kant publishes "Perpetual Peace"
1795
Peace, Germany
Condorcet writes on perfecting the human mind & analyzing intellectual history
1795
Philosophy, France
United States and Great Britain sign the Jay Treaty
1795
Peace, Europe & America
Beginning of White Lotus Rebellion in Central China (1796-1799)
1796
War, China
Spain begins 10-year war with Britain--Spanish navy overwhelmed
1796
War, Europe
Scottish doctor Mungo Park explores the River Niger for African Association
1796
Discovery, Sub-Saharan Africa
Edward Jenner, an English doctor, invents the smallpox vaccination
1796
Invention, United Kingdom
George Washington gives his Farewell Address
1796
Government, United States
Napoleon shows military genius in Battle of Rivoli and occupies northern Italy
1797
War, Italy
John Adams becomes second president of the United States
1797
Government, United States
Thomas Malthus publishes "Essay on Population"
1798
Science, United Kingdom
William Wordsworth and Samuel Coleridge publish Lyrical Ballads
1798
Arts, United Kingdom
In August, Nelson destroys French fleet in Egypt confirming superior British Navy
1798
War, Egypt
In July, Napoleon arrives in Egypt on a military and scientific expedition
1798
War, Egypt
British forces defeat the United Irishmen and French forces in Ireland
1798
War, Ireland
Napoleon claims himself emperor after coup d'état
1799
Government, France
Progressive income tax introduced in Britain to pay for Napoleonic wars
1799
Trade, United Kingdom
Rosetta Stone discovered in Egypt--engraved with 3 languages
1799
Science, Egypt
Dutch government takes control of Indonesia after expiration of VOC charter
1799
War, Indonesia
Humphrey Davy predicts nitrous oxide (laughing gas) will be used as anesthetic
1799
Science, United Kingdom
World population reaches 1 billion
1800
Geography, Global
Alessandro Volta invents the battery
1800
Invention, Italy
American government moves capital to Washington, D.C.
1800
Geography, United States
Toussaint L'Ouverture writes new constitution for Saint-Domingue (Haiti)
1801
Government, Haiti
Tsar Paul I, son of Catherine the Great, is assassinated
1801
Government, Russia
Acts of Union fails to promote harmony between United Kingdom and Ireland
1801
Geography, United Kingdom
Thomas Jefferson becomes the third president of the United States
1801
Government, United States
Robert Emmet is hanged for treason and becomes a hero for Irish nationalism
1803
Government, Ireland
President Jefferson makes United States double in size after Louisiana Purchase
1803
Geography, United States
Napoleon's coronation ceremony portrays him as a superhuman figure
1804
Government, France
The Code Napoleon establishes clear laws in France and later in all of Europe
1804
Government, France
Richard Trevithick produces the first locomotive to carry passengers
1804
Transportation, United Kingdom
Ludwig van Beethoven completes his Third Symphony
1804
Arts, Europe
Serbia gains independence from the Ottoman Empire
1804
Geography, Serbia
Haiti gains independence from France
1804
Geography, Haiti
Napoleon's army defeats Austria and Russia at the Battle of Austerlitz
1805
War, Austria
Nelson killed but British Navy defeats fleets of Spain & France at Trafalgar
1805
War, Spain
Beethoven's Eroica symphony (Symphony No. 3) is performed in Vienna
1805
Music, Germany
Lewis and Clark expedition opens way to conquest of the West
1805
Discovery, United States
Napoleon dissolves the Holy Roman Empire
1806
Government, Europe
Napoleon defeats Prussian army at the Battle of Jena/Auerstadt
1806
War, Germany
Louis, Napoleon's younger brother, become king of Batavian Republic
1806
Government, Netherlands
Prince Joao of Portugal flees to Brazil as Napoleon invades
1807
Government, Brazil
Hegel publishes "The Phenomenology of Spirit" in 1807
1807
Philosophy, Germany
Britain abolishes slave trading in the empire, but slavery remains legal
1807
Human Rights, United Kingdom
Napoleon meets Tsar Alexander I at Niemen River to discuss European policy
1807
War, Lithuania
Joseph Bonaparte, Napoleon's brother, becomes king of Spain
1808
Government, Europe
Napoleon imprisons Spanish king--beginning of independence for Latin America
1808
Government, Spain
James Madison becomes the fourth president of the United States
1809
Government, United States
Chile gains independence from Spain
1810
Geography, Chile
Venezuela gains independence from Spain
1811
Geography, Venezuela
Harrison and Indiana militia defeat Indians at Battle of Prophetstown (Tippecanoe)
1811
War, United States
First steamboat in the western U.S. launches from Pittsburgh
1811
Transportation, United States
Mehmet Ali begins dynasty in Egypt after slaughtering Mamluk rulers
1811
Government, Egypt
Paraguay gains independence from Spain
1811
Geography, Paraguay
Beginning in 1811, Jane Austen publishes six major novels
1811
Arts, United Kingdom
Alexander I wins victory over Napoleon I
1812
War, Russia
In September, Battle of Borodino--Napoleon fails to destroy Russian army
1812
War, Russia
In June, Russia is invaded by Napoleon with an army of 600,000 men
1812
War, Russia
Battle of Vitoria in June ends the Peninsular War--Wellington defeats King Joseph
1813
War, Spain
Andrew Jackson has gunfight with Jesse and Thomas Hart Benton
1813
Culture, United States
Battle of Leipzig in October finds recipe to defeat Napoleon--unite against him
1813
War, Germany
Norway gains independence from Denmark
1814
Geography, Norway
"The Third of May, 1808" by Goya
1814
Arts, Spain
End of serious military power of Americans Indians in pre-Civil War United States
1814
War, United States
Andrew Jackson kills Charles Dickinson in duel
1814
Culture, United States
In March, Russians, Prussians and Austrians enter Paris--Napoleon abdicates
1814
War, France
In August, British attack Washington and Baltimore in War of 1812
1814
War, United States
Talleyrand presides over French foreign policy from 1814 to 1835
1814
Government, France
Metternich leads Austrian delegation at the Congress of Vienna
1814
Government, Austria
On June 8, Congress of Vienna ends & establishes peace in Europe for forty years
1815
Peace, Europe
On June 18, Wellington and Marshal Blucher defeat Napoleon at Waterloo
1815
War, Netherlands
In February, Napoleon escapes from Elba and governs France for 100 more days
1815
Government, France
Britain has complete victory in Napoleonic Wars
1815
War, United Kingdom
"Wivenhoe Park, Essex" by John Constable
1816
Arts, United Kingdom
Argentina gains independence from Spain
1816
Geography, Argentina
James Monroe becomes the fifth president of the United States
1817
Government, United States
State of Connecticut disestablishes religion
1818
Religion, United States
Saint-Simon writes that men engaged in useful work was the basis of equality
1818
Philosophy, France
U.K. and U.S. agree to U.S. boundaries in Anglo-American Convention of 1818
1818
Geography, Global
John Quincy Adams supports Andrew Jackson in his invasion of Spanish Florida
1818
Government, United States
Andrew Jackson proclaims provisional government to citizens of Pensacola
1818
War, United States
Colombia gains independence from Spain
1819
Geography, Colombia
Simon Bolivar forms Republic of Great Colombia after military victories
1819
War, Colombia
Peterloo Massacre climaxes 4 years of high unemployment & low wages in England
1819
Government, United Kingdom
"The Panic of 1819" hits the U.S. as the first boom-and-bust of capitalism
1819
Trade, United States
William Ellery Channing gives sermon about compatibility of science & the Bible
1819
Religion, United States
Missouri Compromise delays civil war as Missouri joins U.S. as slave state
1820
Government, United States
Antarctica discovered
1820
Discovery, Global
Treaty of Doak's Stand
1820
Geography, United States
Adams-Onis Treaty
1821
Geography, Global
Guatemala gains independence from Spain
1821
Geography, Guatemala
Dominican Republic gains independence from Spain
1821
Geography, Domincan Republic
Nicaragua gains independence from Spain
1821
Geography, Nicaragua
Costa Rica gains independence from Spain
1821
Geography, Costa Rica
Mexico gains independence from Spain
1821
Geography, Mexico
Greeks call for rebellion against Turkish rule
1821
War, Greece
Napoleon dies on the island of St. Helena
1821
Government, France
Peru declares independence from Spain despite resistance of Spanish loyalists
1821
War, Peru
Honduras gains independence from Spain
1821
Geography, Honduras
El Salvador gains independence from Spain
1821
Geography, El Salvador
Panama gains independence from Spain
1821
Geography, Panama
Brazil gains independence from Portugal
1822
Geography, Brazil
Ecuador gains independence from Spain
1822
Geography, Ecuador
Michael Faraday invents the electric motor
1822
Invention, United Kingdom
Monroe Doctrine warns European nations not to extend powers into Americas
1823
Government, United States
British leaders form Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
1824
Culture, United Kingdom
Beethoven composes his ninth and final symphony
1824
Arts, Europe
Royalist forces defeated at Battle of Ayacucho to secure independence of Peru
1824
War, Peru
"Man and Woman Contemplating the Moon" by Caspar David Friedrich
1824
Arts, Germany
Bolivia gains independence from Spain
1825
Geography, Bolivia
Erie Canal is completed in northern New York
1825
Transportation, United States
Stephenson establishes the first successful railway: Stockton to Darlington
1825
Transportation, United Kingdom
John Quincy Adams becomes the sixth president of the United States
1825
Government, United States
Samuel Morey invents internal combustion engine
1826
Invention, United States
The first photograph was taken by Niepce after finding a suitable image fixative
1827
Invention, France
A combined British, Russian, and French fleet attacks the Ottomans at Navarino
1827
War, Greece
Sunday schools and primary schools prepares citizens for Second Coming
1827
Education, United States
Cherokee Nation adopts written constitution but no help against Indian Removal
1827
Government, United States
Uruguay gains independence from Brazil
1828
Geography, Uruguay
King Shaka is killed and Zulus decline
1828
Culture, South Africa
First professional police force created by Home Secretary Sir Robert Peel
1829
Government, United Kingdom
Stephenson's Rocket wins race of locomotives
1829
Transportation, United Kingdom
Greece gains independence from Ottomans--first Balkan state to do so
1829
Geography, Greece
Andrew Jackson, "Old Hickory," becomes the seventh president of the United States
1829
Government, United States
Andrew Jackson begins "Bank War"
1829
Trade, United States
Algeria seized by the French
1830
War, Algeria
"Liberty Leading the People" by Eugene Delacroix
1830
Arts, France
Formation of the kingdom of Belgium
1830
Government, Belgium
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints established by Joseph Smith
1830
Religion, United States
King Charles X, an ultra-royalist, is forced to abdicate by rioters in Paris
1830
Government, France
Faraday experiments with electromagnetism and invents the first dynamo
1831
Invention, United Kingdom
Charles Darwin serves as botanist on the HMS Beagle's trip to South America
1831
Science, Americas
William Lloyd Garrison publishes first issue of the Liberator
1831
Human Rights, United States
British Parliament passes the Reform Act of 1832
1832
Government, United Kingdom
Slavery Abolition Act forbids slavery In the British Empire
1833
Human Rights, United Kingdom
Factory Act reduces the number of hours that children are allowed to work
1833
Human Rights, United Kingdom
Palace of Westminster burns down in 1834, but is rebuilt in 1840-1860
1834
Architecture, United Kingdom
Whig Party forms in opposition to policies of Andrew Jackson
1834
Government, United States
Cherokees sign Treaty of New Echota
1835
Human Rights, United States
Finney goes to Ohio to teach theology at the newly founded Oberlin College
1835
Religion, United States
Emerson formulates the philosophy of transcendentalism in his essay "Nature"
1836
Philosophy, United States
Battle of San Jacinto: Sam Houston & Texans defeat Mexican army on April 21, 1836
1836
War, United States
Dickens begins publishing the Pickwick Papers
1836
Arts, United Kingdom
Mexican army & Santa Anna defeats Texans at the Alamo (Feb. 23-March 6, 1836)
1836
War, Mexico
Alexander Pushkin, founder of romantic Russian literature, dies after a duel
1837
Arts, Russia
18-year old Victoria accedes to throne after death of King William IV, her uncle
1837
Government, United Kingdom
Formation of Proctor and Gamble in Cincinnati--becomes multinational corporation
1837
Trade, Global
Martin Van Buren becomes the eighth president of the United States
1837
Government, United States
Alfred, Lord Tennyson publishes "Locksley Hall"
1837
Arts, United Kingdom
The British laboring poor in the People's Charter movement petitions for reform
1838
Government, United Kingdom
Samuel Morse demonstrates Morse Code
1838
Invention, United States
Zulus kill Boer leader Pieter Retief and his Voortrekkers (pioneers)
1838
War, South Africa
The Great Western, the first transatlantic steamship, leaves Bristol for New York
1838
Transportation, Global
Chartism calls for greater representation in democratic government
1838
Government, United Kingdom
Daguerre invents the first practical photographic process
1839
Invention, France
The Opium War begins after China's expulsion of the British
1839
War, China
Eduard Simon invents polystyrene
1839
Invention, Germany
"The Fighting Temeraire" by J.M.W. Turner
1839
Arts, United Kingdom
Cotton constitutes 59 percent of U.S. exports
1840
Trade, United States
British take control of New Zealand after Maori sign Treaty of Waitangi
1840
Peace, Global
British mail service expands as adhesive postage stamp used for the first time
1840
Invention, United Kingdom
Guano boom in the 1840s rescues Peru from misfortune after independence in 1821
1840
Trade, Peru
Hong Kong becomes a possession of Great Britain
1841
Government, Hong Kong
British force weak Qing Empire to sign Treaty of Nanking
1842
War, China
In Anglo-Afghan War, British soldiers and civilians are massacred at Gandamak Pass
1842
War, Afghanistan
Ether is used as a general anesthetic for the first time
1842
Invention, United States
Editors of Punch provides satirical drawings--the first cartoon
1843
Culture, United Kingdom
Sojourner Truth warns of the Second Coming of Christ
1843
Religion, United States
Siyyid Kazim, the second of the 'twin resplendent lights' dies in Karbala
1843
Religion, Iraq