Chapter 39

- Tai-ping rebellion begins in China.

1851 - First great world's fair in the Crystal Palace, London.

- "DISCOVERY OF GOLD IN AUSTRALIA."

- "THE COUP D'ÉTAT OF LOUIS NAPOLEON." Napoleon dismisses the Assembly, and is elected President of France for ten years.

1852 - Napoleon III proclaimed Emperor of France.

1853 - Franklin Pierce inaugurated as President of the United States.

- The Gadsden Purchase made from Mexico, including Southern Arizona and New Mexico. Surveys begin for a transcontinental railroad.

- Dr. Kane sets out on his arctic explorations.

- Russia quarrels with Turkey, claims a protectorate over all Christians in Turkish dominions; war begun, a Turkish fleet destroyed at Sinope. England and France interfere.

- Great successes of the Tai-pings in China.

1854 - Passage of the Kansas-Nebraska Bill intensifies the slavery agitation in the United States; formation of the Republican party. See "THE RISE OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY."

- France and England declare war against Russia; bombardment of

Bomarsund; the allies land in the Crimea; battles of the Alma, of Balaklava, of Inkerman, siege of Sebastopol.

- "THE OPENING OF JAPAN."

1855 - "THE CAPTURE OF SEBASTOPOL."

- Russian successes against the Turks in Asia.

- Overthrow of Santa Ana, Dictator of Mexico.

- Opening of a railway across the Isthmus of Panama. 1856 - Tumult and bloodshed in Kansas.

- Walker, the filibuster, seizes temporary control of Nicaragua.

- End of the Crimean War; Russia withdraws from the Danubian Provinces.

- Second war between England and China; Persians attack Afghanistan.

1857 - James Buchanan inaugurated as President of the United States.

The decision in the Dred Scott case extends slavery into the Territories.

- Mormon Revolt in Utah.

- "THE INDIAN MUTINY." Nana Sahib heads the insurgents; recapture of Delhi and Cawnpore; relief of Lucknow.

- England ends the Persian War. France joins England against China.

- The first Atlantic cable laid and broken.

1858 - Jews admitted to share in the government of England.

- End of the Indian Mutiny; the East Indian Company transfers its authority to the Crown.

1859 - John Brown's Raid.

- Charles Darwin announces the doctrine of evolution. See "DARWIN PUBLISHES His ORIGIN OF SPECIES."

- Russia captures Shamyl, and subdues the entire region of the Caucasus.

- Cavour, the chief statesman of Sardinia, arranges an alliance with France and begins a war with Austria to establish "United Italy."

- "BATTLES OF MAGENTA AND SOLFERINO."

- Lombardy added to the Italian Kingdom; Venice remains Austrian.

1860 - Garibaldi and his "Thousand" attack the Neapolitans in

Sicily; they capture Naples. Victor Emmanuel seizes the States of the Church. See "THE KINGDOM OF ITALY ESTABLISHED."

1860 - French and English troops seize Peking and dictate peace terms.

- Election of Abraham Lincoln, the Republican candidate, as President of the United States. South Carolina secedes from the Union.

1861 - "EMANCIPATION OF RUSSIAN SERFS."