RULERS—The same as in the previous year, with the exception that in Sweden Charles XV dies, and is succeeded by his son as Oscar II.
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1873
A great commercial panic, originating in the New York stock market, sweeps the country (September 18 called the “Second Black Friday”). In New York City, the stock exchange is closed, and the clearing house suspends temporarily. Congress drops the standard silver dollar of four hundred and twelve and one-half grains from the list of coins. Death of Chief Justice Chase, American statesman and jurist; Agassiz, American scientist. General Ulysses S. Grant is again inaugurated President. Congress raises the salaries of its members and of officers of the government (act repealed 1874; called the “salary grab”). In New York City, the Brooklyn Suspension Bridge is begun. Great Britain pays to the United States fifteen million five hundred thousand dollars, the award under the Alabama claims. Alexander H. Stephens returns to Congress. Congress establishes one-cent postal cards. Spanish authorities capture an American steamer, the Virginius, suspected of conveying men and arms to Cuba; thirty Americans executed; great indignation and excitement throughout the United States; Spain tenders apology and surrenders vessel and surviving prisoners; indemnity paid (1875), eighty thousand dollars. Steady growth of the “Grangers” as a political factor. Congress refuses to make further appropriation for continuing work of the Civil Service Commission (see 1874). Organization of the “Farmers’ Alliance,” a cooperative agricultural society. Important inventions: the automatic self-binding harvester and the Janney automatic car-coupler. Immigration, 459,893; exports, $522,479,922.
In England, home rule for Ireland is agitated for the first time as an issue in politics and efforts are made to form a compact, well-guided Irish party in Parliament to press demand for legislative independence; the Irish Land League is organized. Gladstone endeavors to establish an Irish university on a non-sectarian basis, but finds the project unpopular and resigns. Disraeli declines to take the government, owing to personnel of House of Commons, and Gladstone resumes office. Death of Dr. Livingstone (in Africa), African explorer; Sir Edwin Landseer, English artist; Sir H. Holland, English physician and author; John S. Mill, English philosopher and economist.
In France, the last instalment of the billion-dollar war indemnity to Germany is paid, and all German troops are withdrawn from French soil. President Thiers, wearied of the controversies of seven political parties in the Chamber and the intrigues and hostility of the monarchists, tenders his resignation, which is accepted by a small majority in the assembly: great dismay and regret among the people at large. General MacMahon, favored by the monarchists, is elected President by the assembly; the Duc de Broglie, grandson of Mme. de Staël, is made Prime Minister. The monarchist majority negotiates with the Comte de Chambord, heir of the Bourbon kings (the so-called Henry V), who declines the throne, however, rather than govern under a constitution or “abandon the Bourbon White Flag for the Revolutionary Tri-Color.” The royalists now feel constrained to accept the Republic as the most feasible form of government for the time being, and gradually cooperate in strengthening it. Deaths of ex-Emperor Napoleon III, in exile; Balrot, French statesman; Guizot and Michelet, French historians.
In Germany, Baron Liebig, the great German chemist, dies, and also A. Rothschild, Hebrew banker (one of the five brothers), and Von Raumer, German historian. In Spain, King Amadeus communicates his abdication to the Cortes and leaves Spain, respected by the better class for chivalric bearing and honesty, but hated by masses because a foreigner. The Cortes now declares in favor of a republic, with Figueras as President, and Castelar foreign minister; but insurrections occur, and a new Ministry is formed. Castelar is made President amid such chaos that he proclaims temporary military rule. Insurrections of the Carlists, Alfonsists, and Communists are suppressed.
RULERS—The same as in the previous year, except that in Spain Amadeus abdicates and a republic is proclaimed; Figueras, President, and later Castelar, military dictator; in France M. Thiers resigns Presidency, and is succeeded by General MacMahon.
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1874