Track 2 Timeline by Leo Sand

1789: French Revolution

leosand00_ — 2023-11-09 13:45:20 UTC

The beginning of "The Revolution" that would change power dynamics within many parts of the world. Its main impact would be the introduction of the liberal ideals of liberty, equality and fraternity.

1791-1815: Napoleon

leosand00_ — 2023-11-09 13:50:31 UTC

Napoleon's conquest would make a big impact on french culture and supremacy in Europe. Most significantly the conflicts and wars Napoleon fought against European nations would leave a lasting effect on border lines and nationalities in current day Europe.

1814-1815: Congress of Vienna

leosand00_ — 2023-11-09 15:36:07 UTC

After defeating Napoleon, European leaders gather in order to reorganize the continent. The monarchy is reinstalled in France.

1848: Revolutions

leosand00_ — 2023-11-09 15:40:51 UTC

A series of revolutions across Europe, in for example at the time's German confederation, Hungary, Italy, and France. Which in France led to the establishment of the French Second Republic.

1870-71: Franco-Prussian war

leosand00_ — 2023-11-09 15:44:42 UTC

Bismarck consolidates German power by uniting its states behind the purpose of defending against and defeating France. This led to German Unification and also very significantly to the proclamation of the Third Republic, which would rule France from 1870-1940.

1780~ Industrial Revolution

leosand00_ — 2023-11-09 15:50:03 UTC

Came to shape Britain into the leading economy and arguably also the leading state in Europe for the coming 19th century. Key elements: Enclosure acts, innovation, competent workforce, natural resources

1857: Indian Rebellion

leosand00_ — 2023-11-09 15:57:26 UTC

A major uprising within India because of growing grievances. The British response was marked by atrocities on both sides and resulted in the rule of India being transferred from the East India Company to the British Crown. British rule would persist, starting in 1858 all the way to 1947.

1839-1842: First Opium War

leosand00_ — 2023-11-09 16:09:29 UTC

Conflict between Britain and China. Broke out because of China's intent on prohibiting Opium. Ruining the constructed trade of opium for silver in order to import tea to the British mainland.

1856-1860: Second Opium War

leosand00_ — 2023-11-09 16:12:27 UTC

Conflict involving France and Britain fighting China again over mainly the legalization of the opium trade. France gained much support for the conflict when a french missionary was executed in China. Hence the treaty signed at the end of the war in 1860 involved both a plethora of trade agreements regarding opium and ports etc... but also the right for foreign traders and missionaries to travel within China.

1899-1902: Boer War

leosand00_ — 2023-11-09 16:24:54 UTC

A conflict that would cast many doubts on British imperialism both domestically and abroad. Because of the scorched earth tactics employed, the horrific conditions in the concentration camps, the intense tax payer cost of the conflict, and many sympathizers of the Boers (notably in Ireland), British imperialism and arguably imperialism as a whole began seeming less and less desirable.

1861: The Emancipation of the Serfs

leosand00_ — 2023-11-09 17:08:04 UTC

Tsar Alexander II freed the serfs from their ties to the land. This led to complex social and economic consequences and gives an interesting perspective when one observes the forced Soviet industrialization.

1904-1905: Russo-Japanese War

leosand00_ — 2023-11-09 17:10:05 UTC

This war highlighted Russia's military weakness and contributed to internal unrest as well as an inferior position on the world stage.

1914-1918: First World War

leosand00_ — 2023-11-09 17:15:38 UTC

The War. Involved parties were all of the then empires of Europe. Some falling and some still on the rise. However, after this conflict the world map would more or less stay as it is until this day, and a grand new global player would be birthed.

1919: Treaty of Versailles

leosand00_ — 2023-11-10 15:50:27 UTC

The conclusion of the war saw many Empires of the time go (Austria-Hungary, Ottoman Empire, Russia etc...). Furthermore, the treaty of Versailles seemingly put a lasting blockade on German imperialism and ultimately set the stage for further conflict within Europe.

1917-1923: Russian Revolution/Birth of the Soviet Union

leosand00_ — 2023-11-10 15:52:55 UTC

The monarchy was swiftly and brutally put out of power. Coming years saw a full scale revolutionary war where the Reds, the Bolsheviks would seize power and create the Soviet Union.

1929-1939: The Great Depression

leosand00_ — 2023-11-10 15:56:33 UTC

A major global economic downturn that would affect more or less every major nation on the planet at the time. In Britain for example unemployment was skyrocketing. This economic downturn would have an impact on social and economic development across the world.

1939-1945: World War II

leosand00_ — 2023-11-10 15:59:38 UTC

A colossal conflict raged all over the world albeit still being very much so a European one. The cost of which would change the power balance of the continent, especially so in relation to arguably the biggest winner of the war: The United States of America.

1953: Death of Stalin

leosand00_ — 2023-11-10 16:03:02 UTC

Marked the end of a brutal and gruesome area in Russian history. What followed was a power vacuum which created intense political maneuvering by prominent figures in trying to seize power.

1956: Suez crisis

leosand00_ — 2023-11-10 16:06:40 UTC

After Egypt seized control of the Suez Canal. Israel. followed by Great Britain and France, invaded Egypt and the Gaza strip in order to regain control over the canal. However, mounting pressure from the US, USSR, and the United Nations led to a withdrawal from all invading factions. The fallout of the conflict humiliated France and Britain and showed a tangible weakening from the two empires.

1954-1962: Algerian War of Independence

leosand00_ — 2023-11-10 16:13:54 UTC

A defining conflict for France during the 20th century. The war had a profound effect on politics and society back home in France. Signifying the struggles of the 4th Republic and especially its lacking control of its non-mainland territories.

1997: Handover of Hong Kong

leosand00_ — 2023-11-10 16:19:30 UTC

The last significant colony of Great Britain. Given back to the Chinese apropos an agreement of a 50-year transmission period from British to Chinese hands. Also relates all the way back to the spoils of the first Opium War between the two nations.

Post-war years

leosand00_ — 2023-11-10 16:25:26 UTC

The post-war years saw the gradual dismantling of both the British and the French Empires. Losing more and more influence over their colonies and both struggling to combat the ever growing societal and economical struggles at home, would prove to be the factual end of the European empires.

1991: Fall of the Soviet Union

leosand00_ — 2023-11-10 16:28:29 UTC

Although being a completely unique entity of its own. The Soviet Union was very much governed and developed like that of a massive empire. Therefore this highlights the end of Russian imperialism in the world.