The Modern World

By Lucienne S
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    The Making of Modern World

  • James Watt designs a more efficient steam engine

    Steam engine powered machines became crucial in moving heavy objects, getting water out of coal and iron, and were used to transport goods, resources and people. This invention has a significant economic and social impact.

  • American Declaration of Independence announces the American colonies’ independence from Great Britain

    The Americian colonies, after declaring themselves as an independant nation were able to successfully form an alliance with the Government of France. This helped them obtin the French assistance in the war against Great Britain.

  • The First Fleet arrives in Botany Bay, beginning British settlement in Australia.

    11 ships full of British convicts sailed into Botany Bay to start a settlement in Australia.

  • French Revolution

    As a consequence of high bread prices and dissatisfaction with the ruling aristocrats who levied high taxes to support extravagant lifestyles, the French Revolution broke out. Influenced by enlightenment ideals, such as equality and liberty, french commoners who were deep in poverty decided to take a stand against the rich king and church - rebellions were staged, marches were conducted, and the national assembly even made a bill of rights.

  • Alessandro Volta invented a battery to store electrical current; the unit of electrical potential, volt, is named after him

    Volta created the first electric pile; a messy stack of alternating zinc and silver discs, separated by brine-soaked cloth, making his battery the forerunner of the modern battery.

  • Textile workers smash machinery in factories and mills in the midlands and north of England

    Workers, unhappy with the way new machinery and revolutions were threatening the work and trade of their products caused uprising and riots with the industrial mindset. (-ended in 1813)

  • George Stephenson builds the first passenger railway between Liverpool and Manchester

    With steam locomotives pulling the trains, this was the first ticketed and timetabled passenger railway.

  • Publication of the People’s Charter in Britain demanding political reform, including the right to vote for every man from the age of 21.

    It was a National Protest, with huge contributional support from North England, the East Midlands, the Potteries, the Black Country and South Wales. It was a fight for the rights of 21-year-olds and over to vote, starting in 1838, and ending in 1850.

  • Edward Hargraves discovers gold near Bathurst, New South Wales, triggering several gold rushes around Australia

    The huge increase in population was a huge advantage to the economy of New South Wales. The gold was first discovered by Surveyor James McBrien at “fish river.” (-ended in 1880)

  • Convict transportation to Australia ceases with the last shipment of convicts disembarking in Western Australia

    When the last ships disembarked in Western Australia, the total number of transported convicts became 162,000, men and women.

  • Federation of Australia –six colonies of New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria and Western Australia

    The six different ‘self-governing’ colonies (New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria and Western Australia) united.

  • Brothers Orville and Wilbur Wright achieve first controlled, powered, man-carrying flight

    Orville piloted the first flight, 20 feet above a beach in North Carolina. The flight lasted for 12 seconds, and covered 120 feet.

  • Henry Ford produces his first Ford Model T automobile

    He did not in fact invent the car, however, but the first automobile that was in the economic reach of the average American. each car cost around $825. It revolutionised America.

  • The world’s largest passenger ship, the Titanic, hits an iceberg and sinks.

    The titanic, the largest ocean liner built, sinks 4 days after departing from Southampton, England. Out of the 2205 people on board, 1500 drown, making it the “greatest sea disaster in history.”

  • World War I ends with the defeat of Germany

    After feeling the force of British, French and US armies, and experiencing economic crisis, political unrest and starvation at home, German generals requested armistice negotiations with the Allies. However, Germany was not forced to admit defeat or surrender.