Age of Victoria Part One- Political 1818-1867

 

19th Century World Events 1819-1867 Age of Victoria Begins

1819 Birth of Victoria. US annexes Florida. 

1820 "Missouri Compromise"
1823 "Monroe Doctrine."

1825 Erie Canal.

1828 Greece gains its independence (lost in 338 B.C.). 
1833 Great Britain Abolishes Slavery

1836 Texas gains its independence from Mexico. 

1837 William IV dies, accession of Queen Victoria. age 18; Britain refuses to grant more home rule in Canada, leading to the Rebellions of 1837.

1840 Britain claims New Zealand, 1st Opium War (Britain vs China).

1841-42 1st British-Afghan War (total destruction of the invading English Army of 16,000).

1843 Britain claims Natal, 1st Māori War. 

1845 US forces Japan to open to foreign trade, Japanese chose to copy European concepts, & technologies-especially military. US annexes Texas.

1845-1850 Potato Famine in Ireland 1/3 of the population dies 1/3 immigrates (largely to the USA).

1846-48 Mexican American War. 

1848 Year of Revolutions, French 2nd Republic proclaimed, California Gold Rush.

1848-1864 Taiping Rebellion kills between 25 and 30 million Chinese.

1849 England annexes Punjab.

1850 "1850 Compromise."

1852 2nd Burma War. Napoleon III becomes Emperor of France. 

1853-1856 Crimean War: Britain, France and the Ottoman Empire vs. Russia. Russia's expansion into the Balkans is blocked and the 'Concert of Europe' destroyed.

1856 The Treaty of Paris ends the Crimean War, 2nd Opium War (GB & Fr vs China), Britain vs Persia War. 

1857-59 Sepoy or Indian Mutiny. 

1858 Victoria proclaims permanent British rule of India. Colorado gold & silver finds.

1859 War of Piedmont and France against Austria. 

1860 Garibaldi lands his forces in Sicily invades southern Italy. These southern states join the northern union forged by Piedmont under the direction of Camillo Cavour. 2nd Maori War. 

1861-1865 American Civil War.

1861 Victor Emmanuel II proclaimed King of Italy. 

1862 Otto von Bismarck becomes Prime Minister of Prussia. 

1863-67 France occupies Mexico. Homestead Act.

1864 Danish-Prussian War results in quick Prussian victory. Prussia and Austria respectively rule Schleswig and Holstein. 

1866 Austro-Prussian War breaks out over the Austrian administration of Holstein. Prussian victory in seven weeks. 3rd Māori War. 

1867 Dual Monarchy established in a compromise solution between Austria and Hungary. US purchases Alaska claims Aleutian Islands & annexes Midway Island.  

Goddess of the Hunt

 

The Greek Goddess, Artemis, the huntress, goddess of wild animals, plants, childbirth and (as a virgin) chastity; takes aim at her latest quarry.

She and her twin Apollo were the children of Zeus and Leto. Artimes was a popular goddess among the common people, especially those who lived off the land.

To the Romans she was Diana with most of the same traits as the Greek Goddess with the addition of her being a patron of the people of the lower classes.

           This is a large plastic model that I painted in March 2021.

Herald of the Gods - Hermes

 

Messenger of the Gods

Hermes, herald to the Greek Gods, was also the patron of travelers, merchants, commerce, public speakers and thieves.

As the son of Zeus and Maia, his status as the messenger of the Olympian gods was enhanced. He also relayed messages from the gods to their human worshipers. 

As with all messengers, not all of his news was popular with the recipients, especial as he was often the guide to the entry of the underworld.

Regardless, Hermes delivered his communications professionally, speedily and with as little emotion as possible. To the Romans he was Mercury (Mercurius) with much of the same responsibilities.

Hermes is a large plastic miniature from Mystic Battles that I finished in November of 2021.

Athena

                                                 

Athena (Minerva to the Romans) Goddess of Wisdom and War.

Sprouting full grown from the head of her father Zeus (Jupiter to the Romans) with armor, shield and spear, Athena became one of the main gods of the Greek-Roman pantheon.

With her owl as symbol of her wisdom, Athena soon became the both the goddess of wisdom and military tactics.

Patron goddess of the city of Athens, Athena was also the half-sister of the hero Herakles (Hercules to the Romans).

She was a great supporter of many Greek hero's such as Jason, Perseus and of course her sibling Herakles.

She was especially helpful with Herakles' 12 tasks and Perseus' attempt to save his love Andromeda from the sea monster Cetus.

When Perseus beheaded the gorgon Medusa, he presented the head to Athena a thanks for her assistance in his quest. She placed the head upon her aegis (shield).

Be it wisdom, war or handcrafts, Athena was seen in the Greek World as one of the best of the 12 Olympian Gods.

I painted this model of Athena in 2020.

Why Study History

 

RELEVANCE OF HISTORY

"THOSE WHO CANNOT REMEMBER THE PAST ARE CONDEMNED TO REPEAT IT."
George Santayana

"EACH TIME HISTORY REPEATS THE PRICE GOES UP."

Ronald Wright

"IF YOU DON'T KNOW HISTORY, THEN YOU DON'T KNOW ANYTHING. yOU ARE A LEAF THAT DOESN'T KNOW IT IS PART OF A TREE."

Michael Crichton

"HISTORY DOES NOT SO MUCH REPEAT ITSELF, AS PEOPLE REPEAT THE PAST MISTAKES OF HISTORY."  
Rick  Wall

Phoenix

Rebirth in Fire

Rising form the flames that gave her both "death" and rebirth-the Phoenix!

One of the most famous of all Greek myths is that of the immortal Phoenix. With her feathers still aflame, she rises into the sky for the start of her next 1000-year, life.

This is a plastic piece that I painted in July of 2021. 

Vive La France, Canada Qui Est

French Canada was guarded by limited number royal troops in the 17th and 18th centuries. With a small colonial population and massive amounts of land, the few Royal soldiers were often stretched thin as they tried to keep the kings North American Empire safe. In the end they were too few to match the British Colonial expansion wars which cumulated in the French and Indian War 1753-64 (Seven Years War in Europe). With the British victory, France lost Canada and their Louisiana territories and the long-suffering French regulars were withdrawn.  Until the next war - during the American Revolution.