Late Modern Era Timeline

Key:

Africa

Americas

Dar-al Islam

East Asia

Europe

South/East Asia

Russia

American Revolution (1765)

American Revolution

The American Revolution began in 1765 when the Declaration of Independence was launched in hopes for Americans to spring free of British rule. In 1787, the Americans won and created a new nation. This led to enlightenment ideas and inspiration for other revolutions.

Reign of Napolean Boneparte (1769-1821):

Reign of Napolean Boneparte

Overthrew French Directory in 1799 and became emperor of the French in 1804. Failed to defeat Great Britain and abdicated in 1814. Returned to power briefly in 1815 but was defeated and died in exile.

Simon Bolivar (1783):

Simon Bolivar

Simon Bolivar was best known for liberating Spanish South America and adapting democratic ideas and social reforms to nations he conquered. He led the ideas of South American independence from Spain.

French Revolution (1789-1799):

French Revolution

It unified and increased the power of the national state. It increased the feeling of French nationalism, and it set a precedent for a democratic French government. Although it did not solve class inequalities, the French Revolution led to the emergence of the middle class.

Haitian Revolution (1791):

Haitian Revolution

Slave revolt that lasted from 1791–1804 led by Toussaint L'Ouverture. Through the struggle, the Haitian people ultimately won independence from France and thereby became the first country to be founded by former slaves.

Congress of Vienna (1814-1815)

Congress of Vienna

The Congress of Vienna established new borders in Europe and gave 5 main countries more territory. It was the first attempt to create an international order; however, eventually led to later problems concluding to WWII.

War for Greek Independence (1821):

War for Greek Independence

The Greek War of Independence. This rebellion against the Ottoman Empire gave Greek speaking people a national homeland for the first time in history.

Monroe Doctrine (1823):

Monroe Doctrine

This doctrine warned European nations that the United States would not tolerate further colonization. This demonstrated American resolve to be free from European rule.

Opium War (1839-1842):

Opium War

British forces fought a war in China that benefitted drug smugglers. Their subsequent victory in the conflict opened up the lucrative Chinese trade to British merchants.

Mexican American War (1846-1848):

Mexican American War

The war was sparked by a dispute over the annexation of Texas by the United States and a long-standing dispute over the border between Texas and Mexico.

Communist Manifesto (1848):

Communist Manifesto

Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels wrote The Communist Manifesto, which outlines the key concepts of Marxism. According to Marx and Engels in order for the workers to form a classless society they need to seize control of the means of production from the capitalists.

Taiping Rebellion (1850-1864):

Taiping Rebellion

The Taiping Rebellion was a revolt against China's Qing Dynasty over religious conviction. It costs millions of lives and almost destroyed the Qing Dynasty.

Crimean War (1853-1856):

Crimean War

Was a turning point for the Russian Empire and weakened the Russian imperial dynasty, it took decades to recover.

Suez Canal Begins (1859):

Suez Canal Begins

The Suez Canal is important because it is the shortest maritime route from Europe to Asia. Prior to its construction, ships headed toward Asia had to embark on an arduous journey around the Cape of Good Hope.

Emmancipation of Serfs (1861):

The emmancipation of serfs was the key to social reform in Russia. This occured in 1861 following the speech of Tsar Alexander II.

Emmancipation of Slaves in US (1863):

Emancipatioin of Slaves in US

The abolition of slavery granted freedom to slaves and made owning slaves illegal. This led to the equality and freedom of a group of people.

Meiji Restoration (1868):

Meiji Restoration

Meiji Restoration, in Japanese history, the political revolution in 1868 that brought about the final demise of the Tokugawa shogunate.

Indian National Congress Founded (1885):

Indian National Congress Founded

The Indian National Congress, or INC, was the leading political party at the time and pushed hard for independence. Led by specifically Ghandi.

US Acquires the Philippines (1898):

Phillippines

Representatives of Spain and the United States signed a peace treaty in Paris on December 10, 1898, which established the independence of Cuba, ceded Puerto Rico and Guam to the United States

Spanish-American War (1898-1899):

Spanish-American War

The United States declared war against Spain in 1898 and the war ended in 1899. The United States easily defeated the Spanish fleets in Havana and Manila.

Boxer Rebellion (1899-1901)

Boxer Rebellion

Sought to rid China of foreigners and foreign influence. Empress Cixi supported the movement, hoping to eliminate all foreign influence.

Boer Wars (1899-1902):

Boer Wars

War between Great Britian and Boers over South African control of mining regions. Great Britain won and created the Union of South Africa comprised of all the South African colonies.

Russo Japanese War (1904):

Russo Japanese War

Much of the fighting took place in what is now northeastern China. The Russo-Japanese War was also a naval conflict, with ships exchanging fire in the waters surrounding the Korean peninsula.

Construction of Panama Canal (1904-1914):

The Panama Canal symbolized U.S. technological prowess and economic power.

Panama Canal

The Great War (1914-1918):

The Great War

Nearly global conflagration that included all the major powers of Europe, their colonies, and overseas allies. The immediate provocation was a relatively minor incident the assassination of the heir to the Austro-Hungarian empire but the causes was long-standing and much more complex.