The world in
What happened in 1748?
9 events across 5 world regions, each with its sources.
Europe
Signing of the Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle (1748)On 18 October 1748, France, Great Britain, the Netherlands, and Austria signed the Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle in the Free Imperial City of Aachen, ending the War of the Austrian Succession. The treaty was preceded by negotiations at the Congress of Aix-la-Chapelle from 24 April. It largely restored pre-war territorial boundaries and marked the recognition of Prussia as a major power, even though it was not a signatory.
SourcesWikipedia ↗Image: France et Secrétariat d'Etat aux affaires étrangères (1589-1791) / Public domain ↗
Construction of Suomenlinna Fortress BeginsThe construction of Suomenlinna, a sea fortress near Helsinki, began in the mid-18th century. Built across eight islands, it became a significant structure in Finnish history and strategy.
SourcesUNESCO World Heritage listing ↗Wikipedia ↗Image: Michal Pise, Michal.Pise / CC BY 2.0 ↗
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Outbreak of the Russo-Circassian WarIn 1763, the Russian Empire invaded Circassia and occupied Mozdok, prompting the Circassian people to organize a resistance movement to preserve their independence, marking the beginning of the Russo-Circassian War. This conflict became the longest war in the history of the Caucasus and of Russia, ending in 1864 with the defeat of Circassian forces.
SourcesWikipedia ↗Image: Heinrich Ambros Eckert / Public domain ↗
Founding of Radcliffe CameraThe Radcliffe Camera is an iconic building of the University of Oxford, designed by James Gibbs in a Baroque style with Palladian elements. Its circular form was partly inspired by Nicholas Hawksmoor's earlier designs. Construction commenced in 1737 and was completed in 1749; it initially housed a library and later became a reading room for the Bodleian Library. Located north of the University Church of St Mary the Virgin, it is regarded as a symbol of the university.
South Asia
War of the Austrian SuccessionFrom 1740 to 1748, European great powers fought over the Austrian succession after the Habsburg male line failed. Two coalitions formed—France, Prussia, and Bavaria versus Austria, Great Britain, the Dutch Republic, and Russia—and the war was fought mainly in Europe, the Atlantic, and the Mediterranean.
Carnatic Wars (1746–1763)The Carnatic Wars were a series of military conflicts fought between 1746 and 1763 in the Carnatic coastal region of India, mainly between the French East India Company and the British East India Company, with various local rulers also involved. The wars ended with the French East India Company's defeat, its influence confined to Pondicherry and ultimately diminished by the 1763 Treaty of Paris, while the British East India Company established dominance in India, paving the way for British India.
North America
Outbreak of the War of Jenkins' EarIn 1739, the War of Jenkins' Ear broke out between Great Britain and Spain, with fighting mainly in the Caribbean and New Granada. Major operations ended by 1742, after which the conflict merged into the War of the Austrian Succession.
Central Asian steppe
Dzungar–Qing WarsFrom the late 17th to mid-18th century, the Qing dynasty fought a long series of wars against the Dzungar Khanate across Outer Mongolia, Tibet, Qinghai, and Xinjiang. Qing victories led to the incorporation of these regions into the empire and the genocide of much of the Dzungar population.
Central & South America
Construction of Our Lady of Grace CathedralThe Our Lady of Grace Cathedral was completed in Belém, Brazil. It serves as the seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Belém do Pará and is located in the old quarter of the city. The cathedral is dedicated to Our Lady of Grace and its history traces back to the earliest Portuguese settlement. The current structure, the third, was originally built in Baroque style and later modified with Neoclassical elements by architect João Landi.
SourcesWikipedia ↗Image: Celso Roberto de Abreu Silva from Belém, Brasil / CC BY 2.0 ↗
Around 1748
These are known only to the century, not to the year. They are listed separately so a rough date is never mistaken for an exact one.
- Founding of Kew Gardens
- Establishment of the British Convict System in Australia
- Completion of the Jantar Mantar observatory complex
- Emergence of the Enlightenment
- Creation of the Dessau-Wörlitz Garden Realm
- Construction of Hwaseong Fortress Begins
- Construction of the Palace of Mafra begins
- Founding of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew