The world in
What happened in 1838?
14 events across 6 world regions, each with its sources.
Europe
Unification of ItalyThe unification of Italy, also known as the Risorgimento, was the 19th-century political and social movement that consolidated various states of the Italian peninsula into the single Kingdom of Italy. On 17 March 1861 the Kingdom of Italy was proclaimed in Turin, and the process completed in 1871 with Rome as the capital, following its capture in 1870.
SourcesWikipedia ↗Image: Sebastiano De Albertis / Public domain ↗
.jpg?width=176)
Caucasian WarThe Caucasian War was a 19th-century conflict of conquest by the Russian Empire against various peoples of the North Caucasus, lasting from 1817 to 1864. Imam Shamil led fierce resistance, repeatedly repelling Russian attacks, until the fall of Gunib and his capture in 1859. The war ended with the final subjugation of the Circassians and the annexation of the region in 1864.
.jpg?width=176)
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 ↗
Foundation of the Grand Kremlin PalaceIn 1838, construction began on the Grand Kremlin Palace within the Moscow Kremlin. Designed by a team of architects led by Konstantin Thon, the palace was intended to emphasize the greatness of Russian autocracy. It served as the Moscow residence of the Russian emperor and later hosted diplomatic events and high state ceremonies.
.jpg?width=176)
Construction of Pena Palace beginsThe Pena Palace, a Romanticist palace, began construction atop a hill in Sintra, later becoming a prime example of 19th-century Romanticism, a national monument, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
SourcesWikipedia ↗Image: Wilhelm Ludwig von Eschwege / CC BY-SA 4.0 ↗
Founding of the Museo Civico di Storia Naturale di MilanoIn 1838, the Museo Civico di Storia Naturale di Milano was founded in Milan, Italy. The naturalist Giuseppe De Cristoforis donated his collection to the city, forming the basis of the museum's holdings.
North America
Founding of Duke University's precursor, Trinity CollegeIn 1838, Methodists and Quakers founded an educational institution in present-day Trinity, North Carolina, which became the precursor to Duke University. Originally a modest school, it moved to Durham in 1892 and was renamed Duke University in 1924 following a major endowment from James Buchanan Duke. That year is widely considered the university's origin.
Rebellions of 1837–1838 in CanadaIn 1837, armed uprisings broke out in Upper and Lower Canada, driven by frustrations with political reform and demands for responsible government. The rebellions led to Lord Durham's Report and the Act of Union 1840, merging the colonies into the Province of Canada, and eventually paved the way for Canadian Confederation in 1867.
SourcesWikipedia ↗Image: Lord Charles Beauclerk (1813—1842) / Public domain ↗
Second Seminole WarThe Second Seminole War began in 1835 in Florida between the United States and Seminole groups. Fought mostly in small engagements, it lasted until 1842 and is considered the US's longest and most costly Indian war. No peace treaty was ever signed.
Pastry WarIn 1838–1839, France blockaded Mexican ports and captured Veracruz after Mexico refused to pay for damages claimed by a French pastry chef. The war lasted about three months and ended with British mediation, Mexico agreeing to pay 600,000 pesos.
Sub-Saharan Africa
Battle of Blood RiverOn 16 December 1838, Zulu King Dingane broke the peace agreement with the Voortrekkers and attacked them under Andries Pretorius. The Voortrekkers won with overwhelming odds; Zulu casualties were over 3,000, and only three Voortrekkers were lightly wounded.
SourcesWikipedia ↗Image: Unknown author Unknown author / Public domain ↗
North Africa
French conquest of AlgeriaBetween 1830 and 1904, France launched a military invasion and prolonged war of conquest in Algeria. In June 1830, French forces landed near Algiers, quickly seizing the capital and coastal areas. Over the following decades, despite internal political strife, France repeatedly reinforced its military presence to suppress resistance in the interior, gradually extending control southward into the Sahara, and finalizing its colonial borders by 1904.
Oceania
Musket WarsThe Musket Wars were a series of large-scale armed conflicts among Māori tribes in early 19th-century New Zealand, involving up to 3,000 battles and raids from around 1807 to 1842. Sparked by an intertribal arms race following the acquisition of muskets, the wars sought territorial gain or revenge, causing tens of thousands of casualties and enslavements, profoundly altering tribal boundaries, and influencing later New Zealand Wars.
SourcesWikipedia ↗Image: Merrett, Joseph Jenner, 1816-1854. / Public domain ↗
Central & South America
- War of the Confederation breaks out
From 1836 to 1839, the War of the Confederation took place in South America. Chile and the Argentine Confederation opposed the Peru–Bolivian Confederation, seeing it as a threat to their interests. The United Restoration Army prevailed, leading to the Confederation's dissolution and the restoration of Peru and Bolivia.
SourcesWikipedia ↗
Around 1838
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.
- Emergence of the Enlightenment
- Museum Island construction begins
- Completion of Dom Pedro V Theatre
- Establishment of Tomioka Silk Mill and Related Industrial Heritage
- Construction of Hôtel Solvay begins
- Founding of Kulangsu as an International Settlement
- Construction of the Four Hydraulic Boat Lifts on the Canal du Centre begins
- Founding of Nelson's Dockyard