Timeline for the Age of Revolution and Industry By kilatheodora 1644 The Manchu overthrow the Ming dynasty of China Period: 1682 to 1725 Peter the Great rules Russia; Frederick the Great becomes king of Prussia; expanded territory, strong military Period: 1756 to 1763 Seven Years' War ensues, with France, Austria, and Russia clashing against Prussia and England 1768 James Cook visits regions in the Pacific 1776 America declares independence from England 1789 French Revolution begins with the fall of the Bastille in Paris 1791 As part of the Enlightenment, Thomas Paine publishes The Right of Man 1808 Napoleon declares himself emperor of France, beginning the Napoleonic Era 1808 Wars for independence begin in Spanish America Period: 1837 to 1901 British Empire at its peak under Queen Victoria 1 1848 Years of revolution in all Europe Period: 1861 to 1865 American Civil war 1869 Union Pacific Railroad links the East and West coasts of the United States