1876
In the United States, this, the centennial year of national existence, is opened with a general celebration all over the country. Visit of Dom Pedro II, Emperor of Brazil, and the empress. The great national Centennial Exhibition of arts and industries opens in Fairmount Park, Philadelphia, and surpasses all previous world’s fairs of every land. Massacre of General Custer and two hundred and seventy-six men of the Seventh Cavalry by the Sioux Indians under Sitting Bull, near the Little Big Horn River, Montana. Appearance of the Greenback party. Rutherford B. Hayes (Republican) elected President, and William A. Wheeler Vice-President. Defeated candidate, Samuel J. Tilden (Democrat). The result is held to be doubtful, owing to existence of dual governments in Louisiana, South Carolina, Florida, and Georgia, and a complication in Oregon; decision is referred to Electoral Commission appointed by Congress; decision for Mr. Hayes, March, 1877. In New York City, the first wire is stretched between the towers of the Brooklyn Bridge, and the blowing up and removal of part of the great reef at Hell Gate is successfully accomplished. Colorado is admitted to Statehood. Death of A. T. Stewart, New York merchant. In Brooklyn, New York, the burning of the Brooklyn Theater causes a loss of over three hundred lives (performance, Kate Claxton in “The Two Orphans”). Important inventions: the articulating telephone (Professor Alexander Graham Bell); hydraulic dredges (Bowers and others); machinery for making cigarettes; photography by electric light (Vander Weyde); the electric pen (Edison); steam-feed for saw-mill carriages; cable cars introduced (Hallidie). Commercial failures for year, 9,092; liabilities, $191,117,786. Immigration, 169,986; exports, $540,384,671.
In England, Disraeli secures passage of an act conferring upon Queen Victoria the title of Empress of India. News of the unspeakable atrocities committed under Turkish misrule in Bulgaria creates great excitement and indignation, but Disraeli, distrustful of Russian designs on Turkish territory, endeavors to adhere to a policy of non-interference. Gladstone, emerging from retirement, denounces Turkish oppression, condemns Disraeli’s inaction, and urges that the Ottoman Government “be turned out of Europe, bag and baggage.” A conference of great powers is held at Constantinople, England being represented by Lord Salisbury. Turkey rejects proposals of the congress, and Russia declares war as champion of the Christian Church (Greek).
In France, President MacMahon, as a political experiment, but against inclination, selects M. Jules Simon, Republican, from the ranks of the “Left” as Prime Minister in place of De Broglie, resigned. M. Simon organizes a new cabinet. Death of Aurore Dudevant (“George Sand”), French novelist. In Spain, the Carlists are at last subdued; Don Carlos escapes to France. A newly elected Cortes adopts new constitution providing for legislative bodies controlled by popular vote, also for freedom of the press, religion, and unions.
In Turkey, a conspiracy costs the sultan his throne, and, shortly after, his life; he is succeeded by Neurad V, and he in turn by Abdul Hamid II. Revolt extends to Servia, Bulgaria, and Montenegro; massacres of native Christians, pillage and destruction of valuable property. European powers remonstrate and urge reforms. Turks suppress revolt in Bulgaria, using measures of extreme cruelty and authorizing massacres by the Bashi-Bazouks (semi-organized banditti). In Germany, the movement is begun which ultimately results in transference of railroads to ownership of the separate states. Death of Ehrenberg, German naturalist. In Mexico, a rebellion breaks out and Diaz joins it, forcing President Lerdo into exile. Diaz becomes provisional President.
RULERS—The same as in the previous year.
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1877
In the United States, Rutherford B. Hayes is inaugurated President. The conflict in Louisiana between rival State governments is settled by the President in favor of Nicholls’s government (Democratic). President Hayes withdraws last of Federal troops from the South. Pennsylvania and West Virginia suffer from great railway strike and riots; in Pittsburgh, much property is destroyed and many lives are lost; freight and passenger service demoralized, and militia has to quell riot; strike unsuccessful. Death of Brigham Young, religionist and head of the Mormon Church. The “trade dollar” ceases to be a legal tender. Execution of John D. Lee, convicted of complicity in the Mountain Meadow Massacre (1857). Ex-President Grant sails from New York upon a tour around the world. Death of J. L. Motley, American historian. Manifestations in California against the immigration and the labor of the Chinese (see 1888); much general agitation this year over the rights of labor. Important inventions: the phonograph (Edison); the gas-engine (Otto); the Sawyer-Man electric lamp; transmitter for telephone (Berliner); carbon microphone (Edison); discovery of the two satellites of planet Mars (Hall). Immigration, 141,857; exports, $602,475,220.
In England, a war feeling develops against Russia; jealousy and alarm felt over her conquests in Turkey; origin of “jingoism.” A fleet is sent through the Dardanelles as a “demonstration” against Russia. Some disaffected burghers of the Transvaal (the South African Republic) invite England to annex their country. This is formally accomplished, and the annexation persisted in by England despite much controversy in Parliament (see 1880).