learn more about history

I’ve borrowed ‘The Very Bloody History of Britain’ from my brother and I also printed a great timeline of the internet (so it’s aimed at primary age kids – nevermind, I’ll pretend it’s for Jimmers not me)! I’d like to buy a nice long laminated printed one but I haven’t found one yet.

What I really want to get my head around is an overally feel for the different eras. I’m not gussed about learning minutae but knowing roughly the history of the world as is known in brief and a better understanding of politics in relation to history would be good.

The first Australian cabinet is formed ready for the Commonwealth of Australia to begin on 01/01/01.

Private viewing of moving pictures became more popular and sound was introduced in France – with a projectionist playing music in time with the film.

The war office annouced over 11,000 British soldiers had lost their lives in the Boer war to date. Two thirds of the deaths were through sickness. Fears of an uprising mean that more troops were requested meaning nearly every trained soldier in Britain was shipped out.

Whilst the Boer war continued in South Africa France and Italy came to a private agreement over North Africa – Libya under Italy’s influence, Morocco under France’s.

President McKinley (like Lord Salisbury) was re-elected in the US. Key election issues were gold vs silver and imperialism.

Oscar Wilde died in Paris, disgraced and in poverty.

Different blood types were discovered.

Fashions change with knickerbockers becoming more popular (especially among cyclists apparently) with hemlines were reported to be rising above the ankle. Daring stuff.

Tories win the election so Lord Salisbury contines as Prime Minister.

Freud publishes ‘The Science of Dreams’.

Soldiers return from the Boer war to a heroes welcome.

An anglo-german pact is signed to control trade in China after the Boxer rebellion – Russia is excluded as they did not provide troops to deal with the uprising.

Lord Roberts, Commander in Chief, claimed the Boer was over.

A hurricane in Texas destroyed cotton crops and caused the price of cotton to rocket and many cotton mills closed causing high unemployment.

The Czar of Russia moved to annex Manchuria – occupied areas fell under Russia’s law and authority. This was seen as punishment for China’s invasion.

World socialists gathered in Paris to create a World Socialist Movement against war.

The Allies stormed Peking to end the Boxer seige. It sounded terrifying – most embassies had been attacked – women and children had been hiding in the British embassy for almost 2 months and were running out of food.

A German liner broke two speed records with a time of 5 days 19 hours from New York to Plymouth (UK).

Britains got their first taste of coke!

The Italian King Umberto the first was assignated by an anarchist protesting against the Kings use of armed forces against a workers insurrection in 1898.

1500 Europeans living in China were horrendously massacred in a further Boxer uprising. There were estimated to be over 300,000 Boxers in Tientsin and despite allied troops increasing and killing a number of them they remained undetered.

The second (modern)Olympic games were held in Paris (the first modern games were held in 1896 in Athens) where women were allowed to compete for the first time. The Americans excelled winning 16 gold medals.

Germany announced a major naval expansion and justified the protection of shipping lanes as reason for becoming one of the largest fleets in the world.

General McArthur offered the Phillipino’s amnesty after the Spanish insurgency in 1898.

Apparently the ‘cake walk’ dance was all the rage in America!!

Over 300 troops from around the world were sent to China due to the Boxer uprising. They were badly prepared and many more were needed.

The age of boys allowed to work in mines in Britain was raised 13. In America 200 people were killed when mines collapsed in Utah. There were riots in St Louis by striking tram workers.

The World exhibition in Paris opened and 10 people were killed when footwells collapsed. The exhibition was intended to restore the international image of the French empire.

Europe became increasingly concerned about the Boxer uprising in China posed threats to foreigners safety, particularly Christian missionaries.

The Prince of Wales survived an assassination attempt in Brussles by a 16 year old anarchist protesting over deaths resulting in the Boer War.