19th-20th Century Global Events Flashcards

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Slavery Abolition Britain

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Britain formally abolished slavery in 1833 through the Slavery Abolition Act, ending slavery in most of the British Empire. This act laid groundwork for abolition movements elsewhere, with France ending slavery in 1848 and the United States in 1865. Enslaved people were emancipated, though some transitional arrangements and compensation to slave owners occurred.

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Treaty of Nanjing

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1843 treaty ended the First Opium War between Britain and the Qing Dynasty. It imposed unequal terms, including the cession of Hong Kong to Britain and the opening of several Chinese ports to foreign trade. Extraterritorial rights granted British subjects immunity under British law within treaty ports.

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Communist Manifesto

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Published in 1848 by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels. The pamphlet outlines class struggle, historical materialism, and a critique of capitalism. It called for the abolition of bourgeois property and the establishment of a classless society.

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Seneca Falls Convention

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1848 first women's rights convention held in Upstate New York. It launched the U.S. women's suffrage movement, notably through the Declaration of Sentiments. The convention marked a turning point in organized advocacy for women's rights.

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Direct Rule India 1857

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After the Indian Rebellion of 1857, the British Crown took direct control over India, ending rule by the East India Company. Direct Crown rule centralized administration and expanded British authority. This shift laid foundations for modern Indian governance and colonial policy.

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Meiji Restoration

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1868 restoration of imperial rule in Japan under Emperor Meiji. The movement spurred rapid modernization, industrialization, and centralized reforms modeled after Western states. It transformed Japan into a major regional and world power.

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Berlin Conference

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1884-1885 conference among European powers to regulate Africa's colonization. It formalized the partition of Africa and established the principle of effective occupation. The conference accelerated imperial rule in Africa with little consideration for African populations.

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Guomindang Revolution

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1911 revolution led by the Kuomintang, overthrowing the Qing Dynasty. It established the Republic of China and began a period of modernization and conflict in China. The event reshaped East Asian politics and set the stage for later civil strife.

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World War I

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1914-1918 global conflict centered in Europe, involving many nations and causing massive casualties and geopolitical changes. It ended empires and redrew borders in Europe and the Middle East. The war concluded with the Treaty of Versailles and lasting global impact.

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Russian Revolution

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1917 Bolshevik-led overthrow of the Provisional Government. It established the first Communist state and led to the creation of the Soviet Union. The revolution profoundly influenced global politics and inspired socialist movements.

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France Slavery Abolition 1848

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France abolished slavery in its colonies in 1848 during the Second Republic. This move ended slavery within French territories and influenced abolition in other regions. It marked a significant turning point in French imperial policy.

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US Slavery Abolition 1865

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The Thirteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, ratified in 1865, abolished slavery. This constitutional change ended the legal institution of slavery in the United States. Following the Civil War, it marked a crucial step toward civil rights, though discrimination persisted.

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Hong Kong Cession

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As part of the Treaty of Nanjing, Britain gained the cession of Hong Kong Island. Hong Kong became a British colony and a major trading hub in Asia. The cession marked one of the earliest and most significant shifts in imperial power in East Asia.

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Extraterritorial Rights

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The Treaty of Nanjing granted British subjects the right to be tried under British law in treaty ports. This arrangement reduced Chinese sovereignty and allowed Western legal norms to operate within China. Extraterritorial rights reinforced unequal treaties and led to further foreign influence.

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Treaty Ports Opened

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Under unequal treaties following the Opium Wars, several Chinese ports were opened to foreign trade. These ports became hubs of international commerce and extraterritorial presence. Open ports accelerated Western economic and political influence in Qing China.

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Thirteenth Amendment

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Constitutional amendment ratified in 1865 that abolished slavery in the United States. It granted emancipation and aimed to ensure freedom for formerly enslaved people. The amendment was a crucial step toward civil rights, though discriminatory practices persisted.

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Sepoy Rebellion

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Also known as the Indian Rebellion of 1857, this was a major uprising against the East India Company's rule. Its suppression led to the dissolution of the East India Company's authority and the establishment of direct Crown rule. The event significantly changed British policy and Indian administration.

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Opium Wars

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Series of conflicts between Britain and Qing China over the opium trade. The wars culminated in the Treaty of Nanjing and increased Western influence within China. The conflicts marked the beginning of the era of unequal treaties and imperial intrusion in China.