1879
In the United States, James Gordon Bennett, proprietor of the New York Herald, proffers the government a ship, the Jeannette, for a voyage of Arctic exploration via Bering Strait; offer accepted, and the Jeannette sails from San Francisco. Specie payments are resumed. Death of William Lloyd Garrison, noted abolitionist and reformer, and of Caleb Cushing, statesman, jurist, and diplomat. Quinine placed on free list. Publication of Henry George’s “Progress and Poverty,” advocating the “single tax” theory. Captain Eads completes the improvements assuring better navigation of lower Mississippi. Important inventions: Lee magazine rifle; blasting gelatine (Nobel), an explosive more powerful than dynamite or gunpowder; “Standard” bicycle perfected. Immigration. 177,826; exports, 710,439,441.
In Afghanistan, the British resident at Kabul, Sir Louis Cavagnari, is murdered; the British forces prepare to renew the campaign. An expedition sent against the Zulus in Southeast Africa for repeated attacks on British settlers. Zulus subdued, and their chief, Cetywayo, captured. The Prince Imperial of France killed by Zulus while serving in English cavalry.
In France, President MacMahon, disapproving of certain changes in the army corps, resigns and the Senate and Chamber elect M. Jules Grévy (Republican) as his successor. Gambetta succeeds Grévy as president of the Chamber of Deputies, and Waddington becomes Prime Minister. M. Jules Ferry, Minister of Education, begins an agitation to exclude the Jesuits and all “unauthorized orders” from teaching in France; much bitter agitation. The Bonapartist cause suffers by the death of the young prince imperial. In Germany, great economic changes are wrought by Bismarck, including notable increase in tariff. In Sweden, news received that Nordenskjöld, Arctic explorer, had reached the Northeast Passage. In Chile, war against Bolivia and Peru declared; naval struggle watched with world-wide interest as being the first between modern iron-clads; Chilean fleet victorious; Bolivian and Peruvian army almost annihilated at Dolores (see 1880).
RULERS—The same as in the previous year, except that in France President MacMahon is succeeded by Jules Grévy.
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1880
In the United States, owing to a deadlock between Ulysses S. Grant and James G. Blaine, the Republican National Convention nominates a “dark horse,” James A. Garfield, who is elected President, with Chester A. Arthur Vice-President; defeated candidates, Winfield S. Hancock and William H. English, Democrats. Popular vote. 4,454,416 to 4,444,952; electoral vote, 214 to 155. Samuel J. Tilden had declined the Democratic nomination. Important inventions: the magnetic ore concentrator (Edison); hammerless gun (Greener); spinning spindle (Rabbeth); the “Rover” bicycle (Starley), the first of the “safeties.” Public debt reduced to $1,915,594,813; commerce, $14,760,000,000; immigration, 457,257; exports $835,638,658 (nearly double that of 1871).
In England, unpopularity of the Zulu and Afghan wars, depression of trade, and bad harvests develop dissatisfaction with Disraeli’s government, and the elections for a new Parliament result in Liberal victory; Disraeli resigns, and Gladstone, the “Grand Old Man,” again becomes Prime Minister. The Transvaal revolts against English régime and proclaims restoration of free Republic (see 1881).
In France, a general amnesty is proclaimed toward all political exiles, Including those who had been Communists. The first annual celebration of the fall of the Bastile (July 14). Suppression of the Jesuit schools, and restrictions passed upon religious orders. France annexes the Society Islands. Invention of the electric storage battery (Faure). In Germany, the great Cathedral of Cologne, begun in the year 1248, is completed. Diplomatic relations are renewed between Germany and the Papal See. In Afghanistan, a British force is defeated at Maiwand, but General Roberts retrieves the situation by his march to Kandahar. Abdurrahman, nephew of Shere Ali, is installed as ameer, and the insurrection raised by a rival claimant, Ayoub Khan, suppressed. In Mexico, Diaz’s term as President ends, and he is peaceably succeeded by Manuel Gonzalez (see 1884). In Chile, the United States Minister succeeds in bringing about negotiations for peace between Chile and Bolivia and Peru (see 1881). In Spain, the Cortes passes a law for the gradual abolition of slavery in Cuba during the next eight years.