The world in
What happened in 1911?
18 events across 7 world regions, each with its sources.
Europe
- Development of the Haber–Bosch ammonia synthesis process
The Haber process for synthesizing ammonia from nitrogen and hydrogen was developed in the early 20th century. German chemist Fritz Haber achieved the laboratory-scale process in 1909, and a BASF team led by Carl Bosch completed its industrialization in 1913. It has since become the main industrial method for producing ammonia.
SourcesWikipedia ↗
Founding of the Fagus FactoryIn 1911, the Fagus Factory was founded in Alfeld, Lower Saxony, Germany, designed by architects Walter Gropius and Adolf Meyer. Commissioned by owner Carl Benscheidt, the shoe last factory was conceived as a radical departure from traditional design, becoming a landmark of early modern architecture.
SourcesUNESCO World Heritage listing ↗Wikipedia ↗Image: Carsten Janssen / CC BY-SA 2.0 de ↗
Tower of Iglesia de San Salvador in TeruelThe Tower of Iglesia de San Salvador is a Mudéjar bell tower located in Teruel, in the autonomous community of Aragon, Spain. It is a notable example of Mudéjar architecture.
Completion of the Centennial HallConstruction of the Centennial Hall began in 1911 in Breslau, German Empire (now Wrocław, Poland), designed by architect Max Berg as a multifunctional venue to commemorate the centenary of the Battle of Leipzig. The building was completed in 1913 and later inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2006.
SourcesUNESCO World Heritage listing ↗Wikipedia ↗Image: Jar.ciurus / CC BY-SA 3.0 pl ↗
Foundation of the Cathedral of the Immaculate ConceptionA neo-Gothic Roman Catholic cathedral was established in Moscow, Russia, around the early 20th century. It serves as the cathedral of the Archdiocese of Moscow, is one of only three Catholic churches in the city, and is the largest Catholic church in Russia.
Admiralty Arch erectedAdmiralty Arch was erected in 1911, commissioned by King Edward VII in memory of his mother, Queen Victoria, and designed by Aston Webb, linking Trafalgar Square and The Mall. The building formerly housed Admiralty offices and was later converted into a hotel in 2012.
East Asia
Xinhai RevolutionThe Xinhai Revolution broke out in 1911, overthrowing the Qing dynasty, ending over two millennia of imperial rule, and establishing the Republic of China. Sparked by the Wuchang Uprising, it forced the abdication of the Xuantong Emperor. Broadly, it included anti-Qing movements by organizations like the Xingzhonghui and Tongmenghui since 1894.
Founding of Tsinghua UniversityTsinghua University was founded in 1911 in the Tsinghua Garden, northwest of Beijing, initially as the Tsinghua Academy established by the Qing government using returned Boxer Indemnity funds to prepare Chinese students for study in the United States.
Founding of Kyushu Imperial UniversityIn 1911, Kyushu Imperial University was established in Fukuoka as the fourth imperial university of Japan, with medical roots dating to the 1867 Fukuoka Domain medical school. Its founding institutionalised higher research and education in the Kyushu region, later evolving into Kyushu University.
Wuchang Uprising eruptsOn 10 October 1911, elements of the Qing New Army launched an armed rebellion in Wuchang, Hubei, aiming to overthrow the Qing dynasty. The uprising marked the start of the 1911 Revolution, which successfully ended nearly three centuries of imperial Qing rule and led to the establishment of the Republic of China.
North America
- Mexican Revolution
A prolonged armed conflict among factions in Mexico from 1910 to 1920, aiming to end dictatorship, culminating in a constitution and a constitutional republic. It caused around one million deaths and profoundly transformed Mexican culture and government.
SourcesWikipedia ↗
- Standard Oil Co. of New Jersey v. United States
In 1911, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that Standard Oil had illegally monopolized the American petroleum industry and ordered its breakup. The decision also established the 'rule of reason,' holding that the Sherman Act bans only unreasonable restraints of trade.
SourcesWikipedia ↗
West Asia
Iranian Constitutional Revolution (1905–1911)A political movement from 1905 to 1911 in Persia that sought to replace the absolute rule of the Qajar shahs with a constitutional monarchy. The revolution was short-lived but resulted in the creation of a constitution and a parliament, driven by widespread discontent among various social groups.
SourcesWikipedia ↗Image: Unknown author Unknown author / Public domain ↗
- Persian Constitutional Revolution
The Persian Constitutional Revolution was a revolution that took place between 1905 and 1911 in Persia under the Qajar dynasty, leading to the establishment of a parliament. It has been described as an epoch-making episode in the modern history of Persia.
SourcesWikipedia ↗
North Africa
Rif War beginsIn 1921, armed conflict broke out between Spain and Berber tribes of the Rif region in northern Morocco. Led by Abd el-Krim, Rifian forces used guerrilla tactics and captured Western weaponry to repeatedly defeat Spanish troops. France intervened in 1925, escalating the war, which ended with the surrender of the Rifian resistance.
SourcesWikipedia ↗Image: José Moreno Carbonero / Public domain ↗
Outbreak of the French conquest of MoroccoIn 1907, France began its conquest of the Sultanate of Morocco by occupying Oujda on 29 March. Subsequent military campaigns led to the Treaty of Fes in 1912, establishing the French protectorate, while pacification operations continued until 1934.
Central & South America
Banana WarsBetween 1898 and 1934, the United States carried out a series of military occupations, police actions, and interventions in Central America and the Caribbean. These operations were primarily conducted by the United States Marine Corps, which compiled the Small Wars Manual (1921) based on its experiences.
SourcesWikipedia ↗Image: A. R. Harrison, United States Marine Corps / Public domain ↗
Oceania
University of Western Australia foundedThe University of Western Australia was founded in 1911 by an act of the Parliament of Western Australia in Perth, becoming the state's first university and laying the foundation for higher education in Western Australia.
Around 1911
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.
- Completion of the Taipei Grand Mosque
- Establishment of Women's Suffrage Worldwide
- Establishment of Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park
- Construction of Grimeton Longwave Radio Station
- Construction of the Trans-Iranian Railway begins
- Construction of the 20th-Century Architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright Begins
- Construction of the Historic Monuments of Dengfeng in 'The Centre of Heaven and Earth'
- Establishment of the Ancient Building Complex in the Wudang Mountains