The war-weary British sign a treaty ending their war against France – The Treaty of Amiens.
Ohio becomes the 17th US state
The treaty between Britain and France has broken down. Again they go to war against each other
Ruling the seas, a British naval force takes control of Cape Colony in South Africa
The US Congress passes a law that bans the importation of slaves into the US, a law to be largely ignored in southern states.
The French are driven from Portugal
Napoleon returns to France in February. He inspires men to reach again for glory, and his final military defeat comes June 18th at the Battle of Waterloo.
The US has becomes the world's biggest cotton producer of raw cotton
A treaty is signed between the United States and the declining power of Spain. The US buys Florida for 5 million dollars, money the US government gives to US citizens with claims against Spain
New York passes a state law emancipating slaves
In America, Cyrus McCormick invents the reaper-harvester. making it possible to harvest at three times the previous speed.
The Whigs acquire more power momentarily. They are largely aristocrats with liberal leanings
In the United States, Elias Howe invents a "lock-stitch" sewing machine
In the southern states of the United States, abolitionists are expelled and mailing anti-slavery literature is forbidden.
Britain makes New Zealand a colony.
A gold rush begins in Central California
Five percent of British ships are now powered by steam rather than sail
The novel Uncle Tom's Cabin is published. In the South complaints arise that the novel is exaggeration. In the South, owning a copy of the book is made illegal.
Louis-Napoleon is declared Emperor Napoleon III. He would like to create a dynasty. France is no longer a republic. It is called the Second Empire.
John Brown wants to begin a war for the liberation of all slaves in the United States. An armed rising by him and his eighteen supporters is crushed. Brown is tried, convicted and hanged.
Civil War starts
In the United States the first paper money is issued
A devout Baptist, John D. Rockefeller, age 24, enters the oil refining business
Abraham Lincoln assassinated
The US Civil War ends with General Robert E. Lee and his officers surrendering their swords
The Territory of Wyoming allows women to vote, which incline more territories and states to do the same
In Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Charles Taze Russell begins what will become the Jehovah's Witnesses