1845. War with the Sikhs. Sir Hugh Gough and Sir Henry Hardinge defeated them at Moodkee (Dec. 18), and Ferozeshah (Dec. 21, 22).
1846. Sir Harry Smith gained a complete victory over the Sikhs at Aliwal (Jan. 28); and Gough completely routed them at Sobraon (Feb. 10). The conquerors dictated terms of peace. Failure of the potato crop in Ireland, which led to a famine in the ensuing winter. REPEAL OF THE CORN LAWS. Lord John Russell appointed premier. Minutes of Council on education issued.
1848. Revolution in France, and Prince Louis Napoleon, nephew of the emperor, elected president of the French Republic. Smith O’Brien tried to raise an insurrection in Ireland, and signally failed. War with the Sikhs, and indecisive battle of Ramnuggur (Nov. 22).
1849. Lord Gough again met the Sikhs at Chilianwallah, where a sanguinary and indecisive battle was fought (Jan. 13), but he soon after gained a great victory at Goojerat (Feb. 21). Annexation of the Punjaub.
1850. Death of Sir Robert Peel.
1851. The Great Exhibition of Industry, open for twenty-four weeks, and attended by 6,000,000 people.
1852. Louis Napoleon elected president for life. War with the Burmese, and annexation of Pegu. The earl of Derby appointed premier, and succeeded, several months after, by the earl of Aberdeen, at the head of a coalition ministry. Death of the duke of Wellington. Louis Napoleon elected emperor.
1853. The Sultan declared war against Russia on account of the aggressive measures of the Emperor Nicholas.
1854. England and France determined to assist Turkey, and declared war against Russia. THE CRIMEAN WAR. The allies invaded the Crimea, and defeated the Russians at The Alma (Sept. 20). Siege of Sebastopol. The Russians defeated at Balaclava (Oct. 25), and Inkermann (Nov. 5). Sir Charles Napier destroyed Bomarsund, on the Aland Isles (Aug.).