Astounding 19Th Century Facts That We Bet You Don T Know

The 19th-century ran from 1801-1900.The Industrial Revolution radically altered the world in the 19th century. It caused numerous problems initially, but by the late 19th century, regular people’s lives had become more comfortable.In the meantime, Britain established itself as the world’s first urban society. More than half of the population lived in towns by 1851. During the 1800s, Britain’s population exploded. It was around 9 million in 1801 and had climbed to almost 41 million by 1901, despite the fact that many people fled poverty by emigrating to North America and Australia. Between 1815 and 1914, around 15 million individuals departed the country.During the Victorian era, Britain expanded its empire around the world, becoming the world’s largest, wealthiest, and most powerful empire.Historical EventsThere was a flood of historic events and wars in the 19th century.There was a prominence of culture war too. The Spanish, Zulu Kingdom, First French, Holy Roman, and Mughal empires all fell during this period of history. The British Empire, the Russian Empire, the United States, the German Empire effectively replacing the Holy Roman Empire, the Second French Empire, the Kingdom of Italy, and Meiji Japan all grew in power as a result of this, with the British Empire enjoying undisputed domination after 1815.British inventor Sir William Congreve invented the Congreve rocket around the turn of the 19th century. In 1807, these rockets were deployed in Copenhagen, and they set fire to most places in the city. These rockets lacked both range and accuracy, and they fell out of favor after the Napoleonic Wars.Following the fall of the French Empire and its Indian allies during the Napoleonic Wars, the British and Russian empires grew rapidly, eventually becoming the world’s major powers.The Russian Empire expanded throughout the Caucasus, Central Asia, and East Asia. The Ottoman Empire underwent a period of westernization and reform known as the Tanzimat, which saw them vastly increase their control over their core territories in Anatolia and the Near East. Despite this, the Ottoman Empire remained in decline and became known as Europe’s sick man, losing territory in the Balkans, Egypt, and North Africa.During the Victorian era, Britain expanded its empire around the world, becoming the largest, wealthiest, and most influential empire in world history.In the first half of the century, the British Empire expanded rapidly. It established itself as a prominent leader, particularly with the construction of vast territories in Canada, Africa, India, South Africa, and Australia in the last two decades of the century. The empire ruled a fifth of the world’s land area and a quarter of its people by the turn of the century. It implemented what became known as the Pax Britannica, which had steered in unprecedented globalization and economic integration on a monumental scale.Between 1830 and 1914, about 5 million Irish immigrants arrived in America.Back in China, the situation was equally chaotic, with an estimated 20-30 million people dying, the Taiping Rebellion was the greatest conflict of the 19th century. Its leader, Hong Xiuquan, claimed to be Jesus Christ’s younger brother and founded the God Worshipping Society, a new Chinese religion. The Taiping army captured a huge chunk of China after proclaiming the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom in 1851, taking Nanjing in 1853. Following the death of Hong Xiuquan in 1864, Qing soldiers retook Nanjing and put an end to the revolt.Japan’s foreign policy during the Edo period was primarily isolationist. In 1853, the United States Navy Commodore Matthew C. Perry launched a gunship raid on Edo, Japan’s capital, demanding that they agree to open trade. As a result, economic relations between Japan and other countries were established, and the Sakoku policy was formally ended in 1854.By 1872, the Japanese government, under Emperor Meiji, had abolished the Han system, thus establishing a strong central government. Further reforms included the dissolution of the samurai class, modernization of government, and rapid industrialization.Inventions Of The 19th CenturyThe 19th century was the classical era of innovative and outstanding discoveries!The telephone, automobile, typewriter, bicycle, and motion picture all transformed the way people lived, worked, and traveled.The motion picture camera, phonograph and a long-lasting practical electric light bulb were all invented by American inventor Thomas Edison who dramatically changed lives around the world.In 1856, an engineer named Henry Bessemer created a new method for turning iron into steel, allowing for the construction of massive ships, bridges, and other constructions.People could now travel quicker and further than ever before because of the expansion of railways. All of Britain’s major cities were now connected, including London, Glasgow, and Manchester. Horses were the fastest form of transportation before railroads.The Penny Post was invented by Rowland Hill in 1840. The sender of a letter has to pay from then on. People were able to keep in touch with loved ones who lived far away thanks to the low cost of mail.In 1837, the telegraph was invented. In 1850, a cable was built across the English Channel, and it was feasible to convey messages over the Atlantic after 1866.In the 19th century, medicine and surgery made significant advances. Louis Pasteur, who lived from 1822-1895, demonstrated that disease is caused by tiny organisms. He also devised a method for heating liquids to sterilize them called pasteurization. He also developed anthrax which killed many domestic animals and rabies vaccines. Diphtheria vaccination was first developed in the 1890s. In 1897, a typhoid vaccine was developed.The discovery of anesthetics revolutionized surgery. In 1847, James Simpson began performing procedures with chloroform. Joseph Lister created antiseptic surgery in 1865, allowing surgeons to perform far more difficult procedures. In 1890, rubber gloves were first used in surgery. X-rays were discovered in 1895.Life In The 19th CenturyThe United Kingdom was the first country in the entire world to become industrialized.During the Industrial Revolution, many middle-class people came to cities in pursuit of work. More people lived in cities than in rural areas, resulting in extremely congested city centers! Poor people lived in congested slums, which were filthy, smelly, and in poor repair.Child labor was a prominent issue in world history. Children were recruited to work in mills because they could fit into places where adults could not. As a result, many children found themselves working in factories, coal mines, and as chimney sweeps.Despite Britain’s political clout, many regular citizens lived in poverty. As technology progressed, new machines displaced a large number of people. Many turned to workhouses for basic needs like food, medical treatment, and shelter in exchange for labor. The living conditions were horrible, and families were frequently separated.The mill workers’ lives were harsh. Aside from the oppressive heat and deafening noise, even breathing the air within the mill was potentially hazardous to the workers. Cotton particles flooded the air, making it impossible to resist inhaling them in. Because there was no modern PPE available, workers were at risk of contracting Byssinosis, a lung illness.These difficult working circumstances caused a variety of other illnesses, ranging from eye inflammation to mouth cancer. Mule spinners’ cancer was named from the large number of mill workers who developed it as a result of prolonged contact with the oils and minerals used on the machinery.Because of the rapid pace of the Industrial Revolution, Victorian slum housing was swiftly constructed to accommodate mill workers. Families would frequently live and sleep in the same room.Mill employees’ deplorable working conditions began to draw the attention of social reformers. This was part of a larger social reform landscape that challenged the government’s callous attitude toward the weakest members of society. A number of legislative actions have been introduced in an attempt to reduce some of the stress that employees, particularly young people, faced.In the years that followed, more factory acts were passed, each with its own set of rules. The new laws mandated that child workers receive a certain amount of education per week, reduced working hours for women and children under the age of 18, the laws also raised the age of child employability to 11 and made it mandatory to install protective guards around machinery in an effort to reduce accidents.Prior to the Victorian era, the majority of the British populace was illiterate and had little access to education. Queen Victoria thought that education should be available to all, and towards the conclusion of her reign, all children, rich or poor, were required to attend school.Fun Facts About 19th CenturyHere are some fun facts about the 19th century.Mills are a fascinating and important aspect of the past. They used to be at the heart of new industrial towns, shaping the identity of the locations and the people who lived and worked there, and they still do today.As education improved, more individuals were able to appreciate reading. Now, children’s books weren’t merely for education; they were also for entertainment! New books like ‘Treasure Island’, ‘Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland’, and ‘The Jungle Book’ became instant bestsellers. Adventure stories were popular among children. These books are still very much a part of our modern-day life.History says that this was also a fantastic time for the arts!Throughout the 19th century, Romantic music evolved from the Classical era to become the primary form of instrumental composition. The films and entertainment industry evolved drastically! John Addison was a film composer from the United Kingdom.The Victorian era produced some of Britain’s most well-known poets, thinkers, and novelists, including playwright Oscar Wilde, poet Elizabeth Barret-Browning, and authors like Charles Dickens. Dickens’ works, such as ‘Oliver Twist’, frequently featured destitute characters, and his stories brought their predicament to light.Théodore Géricault completes his masterpiece ‘The Raft of the Medusa’ and shows it at the Louvre in the French Salon of 1819.English novelist Jane Austen published ‘Pride and Prejudice’. Mary Shelley published ‘Frankenstein’ in 1818. John Keats composes his odes in 1819.Russian writer Leo Tolstoy authored the book ‘War and Peace’ (1865–69) and ‘Anna Karenina’ (1875–77), which are typically considered among the best novels ever written.1879 saw the first issue of The Watchtower; a religious magazine.During the Victorian era, organized sports were popular. In 1871, the first Rugby Football Union was created. William Webb Ellis, a student at Rugby School in England is said to have formed the sport when he carried the ball during a football game and ran with it.The Christmas tree had been around in England before the 19th century, but it gained popularity after the royal family was seen with one in a magazine illustration.

The 19th-century ran from 1801-1900.