- "THE COUP D'ÉTAT OF LOUIS NAPOLEON." Napoleon dismisses the
Assembly, and is elected President of France for ten years.
1852 - Napoleon III proclaimed Emperor of France.
1853 - Franklin Pierce inaugurated as President of the United States.
- The Gadsden Purchase made from Mexico, including Southern Arizona and New Mexico. Surveys begin for a transcontinental railroad.
- Dr. Kane sets out on his arctic explorations.
- Russia quarrels with Turkey, claims a protectorate over all Christians in Turkish dominions; war begun, a Turkish fleet destroyed at Sinope. England and France interfere.
- Great successes of the Tai-pings in China.
1854 - Passage of the Kansas-Nebraska Bill intensifies the slavery agitation in the United States; formation of the Republican party. See "THE RISE OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY."
- France and England declare war against Russia; bombardment of
Bomarsund; the allies land in the Crimea; battles of the Alma, of Balaklava, of Inkerman, siege of Sebastopol.