The world in
What happened in 1861?
14 events across 6 world regions, each with its sources.
North America
Outbreak of the American Civil WarThe American Civil War broke out in 1861, stemming from political conflicts between free states in the North and slave states in the South. Southern states seceded from the Union, forming the Confederate States of America, leading to a full-scale civil war.
Battle of Fort SumterThe Battle of Fort Sumter took place on April 12–13, 1861, at Charleston Harbor, South Carolina. The South Carolina militia bombarded Fort Sumter, leading to the surrender of the United States Army garrison. The battle resulted in no fatalities but directly triggered the American Civil War.
SourcesWikipedia ↗Image: George Edward Perine / Public domain ↗
Founding of the Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyIn 1861, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology was founded in Cambridge, Massachusetts, to meet the growing industrialization of the United States, adopting the model of European polytechnic universities and focusing on experimental teaching in applied science and engineering.
SourcesWikipedia ↗Image: Fcb981, this edited version by Thermos / CC BY-SA 3.0 ↗
First Battle of Bull RunOn July 21, 1861, the first major battle of the American Civil War took place near Manassas, Virginia. The Union advance toward Richmond was thwarted when Confederate reinforcements arrived by rail, leading to a Confederate victory and a disorganized Union retreat that dashed hopes for a quick end to the war.
SourcesWikipedia ↗Image: Richard W. Stewart General Editor / Public domain ↗
Outbreak of the Caste War of YucatánIn 1847, the Indigenous Maya people of the Yucatán Peninsula launched an armed revolt against the Hispanic population, known as the Caste War. The uprising stemmed from the latter's political and economic dominance since the Spanish conquest in the 16th century, and it is considered one of the most successful modern Native American revolts. The conflict primarily unfolded between government forces in the northwest and independent Maya groups in the southeast, lasting nearly five decades.
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 ↗
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Emancipation reform of 1861In 1861, Tsar Alexander II of Russia issued the Emancipation Edict, effectively abolishing serfdom throughout the Russian Empire. It was the first and most important of his liberal reforms, marking a major step in Russia's modernization.
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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.
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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 the Palais GarnierIn 1861, the construction of the Palais Garnier began under Emperor Napoleon III. Designed by Charles Garnier, the opera house exemplifies the Napoleon III style and served as the main venue for the Paris Opera and its ballet company.
Central & South America
- Chilean occupation of Araucanía
Between 1861 and 1883, Chile incorporated the ancestral Mapuche territory of Araucanía through a series of military campaigns, agreements, and penetrations. Referred to by Chilean authorities as the 'Pacification of Araucanía'.
SourcesWikipedia ↗
East Asia
Self-Strengthening Movement BeginsQing officials launched the Self-Strengthening Movement in 1861, aiming to strengthen China by adopting Western military technology. Though lasting until 1895, its beginning marked the start of modern industrialization and military modernization in China.
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
New Zealand Wars outbreakThe New Zealand Wars broke out in 1845, a series of armed conflicts between the British colonial government and Māori. The root cause was disputes over the sale of Māori land to British settlers, with the conflicts lasting until 1872 across multiple campaigns.
SourcesWikipedia ↗Image: DO'Neil at English Wikipedia / CC BY-SA 3.0 ↗
Around 1861
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.
- Second Industrial Revolution
- 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