Kangxi Emperor of China dies.

Tags: Qing Dynasty, Emperor, Imperialism, Succession, Governance

The Treaty of Constantinople is signed, partitioning Persia between the Ottoman Empire and Russia.

Tags: Treaty, Imperialism, Ottoman Empire, Russian Empire, Geopolitics, Partition, Territorial Disputes

1799: The Qianlong Emperor of China oversees a huge expansion in territory.

Tags: Qing Dynasty, Emperor, Governance, Expansion, Imperialism, Political History

Governor-General Dirck van Cloon dies, one of many victims of malaria in Batavia.

Tags: Colonialism, Dutch East India Company, VOC, Batavia, Governance, Public Health, Dutch Empire

The Treaty of Pondicherry ends the Second Carnatic War and recognizes Muhammed Ali Khan Wallajah as Nawab of the Carnatic.

Tags: Treaty, Colonialism, British Empire, French East India Company, Carnatic Wars, Political Settlement

13 February, the Treaty of Giyanti is signed, effectively partitioning the Mataram Sultanate; the VOC recognizes Mangkubumi as Sultan Hamengkubuwana I...

Tags: Treaty, Partition, Sultanate, Colonialism, VOC, Political Division

17 March, Salatiga treaty between Prince Sambernyawa with Pakubuwono III and Hamengkubuwono I further partitions the remnant of Mataram Sultanate; the...

Tags: Treaty, Partition, Sultanate, Colonialism, Javanese History, Mataram Sultanate

1796: Reign of Catherine the Great of Russia.

Tags: Monarchy, Tsardom, Enlightened Absolutism, Imperialism, Catherine the Great, Romanov Dynasty

The Stamp Act is introduced into the American colonies by the British Parliament.

Tags: Colonialism, Taxation, British Empire, American Revolution, Parliament, Protest, Representation

James Cook claims the East Coast of Australia (New South Wales) for Great Britain.

Tags: Colonialism, Exploration, British Empire, New South Wales, James Cook, Imperialism, Indigenous Australians

The Kalmyk Khanate dissolves as the territory becomes colonized by Russians. More than a hundred thousand Kalmyks migrate back to Qing Dzungaria.

Tags: Migration, Imperialism, Colonization, Khanate, Qing Dynasty, Russian Empire, Nomadic Peoples

16 December, the Boston Tea Party.

Tags: American Revolution, Colonialism, Protest, Taxation, British Empire, Independence, Revolution

Russia imposes a reduction in autonomy on the Zaporizhian Cossacks of Ukraine.

Tags: Russian Empire, Cossacks, Autonomy, Imperialism, Sovereignty

Spain acquires its first permanent holding in Africa from the Portuguese, which is administered by the newly-established La Plata Viceroyalty.

Tags: Colonialism, Imperialism, Spanish Empire, Portuguese Empire, Territorial Acquisition, Political Administration

Russian Empire annexes the Crimean Khanate.

Tags: Imperialism, Expansionism, Geopolitics, Russian Empire, Ottoman Empire, Annexation, Catherine the Great

First permanent European settlement established in Australia by Britain at Sydney.

Tags: Colonialism, British Empire, Exploration, Settlement, New South Wales, Indigenous Australians

1789: Inconfidência Mineira, conspiracy against the colonial authorities in Brazil.

Tags: Colonialism, Independence Movements, Conspiracy, Portuguese Empire, Taxation, Mining, Political Instability

The Inconfidência Mineira, an unsuccessful separatist movement in central Brazil led by Tiradentes

Tags: Colonialism, Independence Movements, Separatism, Portuguese Empire

Great Britain and Spain dispute the Nootka Sound during the Nootka Crisis.

Tags: Imperialism, Colonialism, Territorial Disputes, Diplomacy, Pacific Northwest, Trade, British Empire, Spanish Empire, Exploration

The Constitutional Act (or Canada Act) creates the two provinces of Upper and Lower Canada in British North America.

Tags: British Empire, Constitutionalism, Colonialism, Governance, Upper Canada, Lower Canada

Trinidad put under British rule.

Tags: Colonialism, British Empire, Imperialism, Territorial Expansion, Napoleonic Wars, Geopolitics

On 1 January, the bankrupt VOC is formally dissolved and the nationalized Dutch East Indies are established.

Tags: Colonialism, Dutch Empire, VOC, East Indies, Nationalization, Political Transition, Global Trade, Imperialism

Alexander I of Russia becomes tsar after the assassination of his father.

Tags: Russian Empire, Tsar, Monarchy, Succession, Imperialism, Political Instability

Haiti gains independence from France and becomes the first black republic.

Tags: Independence, Revolution, Colonialism, French Revolution, Toussaint Louverture, Self-determination

Napoleon crowns himself Emperor of the French.

Tags: Napoleon Bonaparte, French Empire, Coronation, French Revolution, Monarchy, European History, Imperialism

1805–1848: Muhammad Ali modernizes Egypt.

Tags: Modernization, Ottoman Empire, Muhammad Ali, Political Reform, Military Reform, Nation Building, Imperialism

Napoleon makes brother Joseph Bonaparte king of Naples & brother Louis Bonaparte king of Holland.

Tags: Napoleon Bonaparte, Napoleonic Wars, French Empire, Monarchy, European Politics, Political Restructuring, Imperialism

Cape Colony becomes part of the British Empire.

Tags: British Empire, Colonialism, Expansionism, Imperialism, Napoleonic Wars, Cape Colony, Political Control

Herman Willem Daendels the Governor-general of the Dutch East Indies (1808–1811) begin the construction of Java Great Post Road.

Tags: Infrastructure, Dutch East Indies, Colonialism, Transportation

Sierra Leone becomes British colony.

Tags: Colonialism, British Empire, Imperialism, Political History, Atlantic Slave Trade, Slavery, Governance, Sierra Leone

May 14: Paraguay declares independence from the Spanish empire (recognized May 15).

Tags: Independence, Colonialism, Spanish Empire, Nation Building, South American History

Independence of Argentina.

Tags: Independence, Revolution, Colonialism, Spanish Empire, Nationalism

Independence of Chile.

Tags: Independence, Chile, Colonialism, Spanish Empire, Revolution

The modern city of Singapore is established by the British East India Company.

Tags: British Empire, Colonialism, East India Company, Trade, Geopolitics

Dissolution of the Maratha Empire in India.

Tags: British Empire, Colonialism, Maratha Empire, East India Company, Political Transition, Annexation, Imperialism

Mexico gains independence from Spain with the Treaty of Córdoba.

Tags: Independence, Colonialism, Nationalism, Political Change, Revolution

Prince Pedro of Brazil proclaimed the Brazilian independence on 7 September. On 1 December, he was crowned as Emperor Dom Pedro I of Brazil.

Tags: Independence, Monarchy, Brazilian Empire, Colonialism, Political Transition

Monroe Doctrine declared by US President James Monroe in cooperation with Britain.

Tags: US Foreign Policy, Diplomacy, Imperialism, American Expansionism

Independence of Bolivia.

Tags: Independence, Colonialism, Spanish Empire, Nationalism

Anglo-Russian rivalry over Afghanistan, the Great Game, commences and concludes in 1895.

Tags: Great Game, Imperialism, Geopolitics, Colonialism, British Empire, Russian Empire, Diplomacy

Slavery Abolition Act 1833 bans slavery throughout the British Empire; owners are reimbursed.

Tags: Abolitionism, Slavery, British Empire, Colonialism, Human Rights, Legislation, Social Reform, Economic Impact

1837–1838: Rebellions of 1837 fail in Canada.

Tags: Rebellion, Colonialism, Political Reform, British Empire, Canadian History, Lower Canada, Upper Canada

1837–1901: Queen Victoria reigns during the apex of the British Empire; this is the Victorian era.

Tags: British Empire, Monarchy, Queen Victoria, Imperialism, Colonialism, Global Power

New Zealand is founded, as the Treaty of Waitangi is signed by the Māori and British.

Tags: Colonialism, Treaty, Indigenous Rights, British Empire, Nationalism, Political Agreements, Settler Colonialism

Upper and Lower Canada are merged into the Province of Canada.

Tags: British Empire, Colonialism, Political Union, Canadian History

Treaty of Nanking cedes Hong Kong to the British.

Tags: Imperialism, Colonialism, Treaties, British Empire, Qing Dynasty, Hong Kong, Trade

Treaty of Wanghia was signed by the United States and China.

Tags: Diplomacy, Treaty, Trade, Foreign Relations, Imperialism, Qing Dynasty

Louis Napoleon assumes power in France in a coup.

Tags: Coup d'état, French History, Authoritarianism, European History, Imperialism

The Convention of Kanagawa formally ends Japan's policy of isolation. This would open up two ports in Japan to American ships and offered protection t...

Tags: Imperialism, Isolationism, Trade, Diplomacy, Treaty, Meiji Restoration, Globalization

1857–1858: Indian Rebellion of 1857: The British Empire assumes control of India from the East India Company.

Tags: British Empire, Colonialism, Rebellion, East India Company, Governance, Imperialism, Political Transition

1858–1947: British Empire in India lasts for 90 years.

Tags: British Empire, Colonialism, Imperialism, Political History, Decolonization, East India Company

1859–1869: Suez Canal is constructed.

Tags: Canals, Infrastructure, Transportation, Trade, Colonialism, Globalization, Ottoman Empire

1861–1867: French intervention in Mexico and the creation of the Second Mexican Empire, ruled by Maximilian I of Mexico and his consort Carlota of Mex...

Tags: Imperialism, Colonialism, French Empire, Mexican History, Maximilian I, Intervention, Warfare

France annexes Cambodia.

Tags: Colonialism, French Empire, Protectorate, Imperialism, Political Expansion

June: The first railway track in Indonesia was laid between Semarang and Tanggung, Central Java by the Dutch colonial government.

Tags: Railroad, Transportation, Colonialism, Dutch East Indies, Infrastructure, Economy

July 23: Apolinario Mabini, the Brains of the Revolution, was born.

Tags: Revolution, Nationalism, Political Thought, Colonialism, Independence

1866–1869: After the Meiji Restoration, Japan embarks on a program of rapid modernization.

Tags: Meiji Restoration, Modernization, Industrialization, Political Reform, Westernization, Imperialism

The feudal system is dismantled in Japan.

Tags: Meiji Restoration, Feudalism, Abolition, Political Reform, Samurai, Daimyo, Centralization, Modernization, Imperialism

February 17: Filipino priests José Burgos, Mariano Gomez and Jacinto Zamora, collectively known as Gomburza, are executed in Bagumbayan Fields, Manila...

Tags: Colonialism, Spanish Empire, Execution, Political Repression, Nationalism, Religious Figures

Queen Victoria becomes Empress of India.

Tags: British Empire, Imperialism, Colonialism, Queen Victoria, Governance, Political Power, Monarchy

Tsar Alexander II is assassinated.

Tags: Assassination, Tsar, Political Violence, Autocracy, Populism, Imperialism

1884–1885: The Berlin Conference signals the start of the European "scramble for Africa".

Tags: Imperialism, Colonialism, Scramble for Africa, European Expansion, Diplomacy, International Relations, Otto von Bismarck

Germany gains control of Cameroon.

Tags: Colonialism, Imperialism, Scramble for Africa, German Empire, Protectorate, Expansionism, European Powers

King Leopold II of Belgium establishes the Congo Free State as a personal fiefdom.

Tags: Colonialism, Imperialism, Scramble for Africa, Exploitation, Human Rights

Britain establishes a protectorate over Bechuanaland (modern Botswana).

Tags: Colonialism, British Empire, Protectorate, Imperialism, Diplomacy, Territorial Expansion

Burma is presented to Queen Victoria as a birthday gift.

Tags: British Empire, Colonialism, Imperialism, Queen Victoria, Annexation, Expansionism, Political History

The British Empire takes over Balochistan.

Tags: British Empire, Imperialism, Colonialism, Geopolitics, Annexation, Great Game

Year of the Three Emperors in Germany marks the beginning of Kaiser Wilhelm II's 30-year reign.

Tags: German Empire, Monarchy, Succession, Imperialism, Weltpolitik, European History, World War I

Italy annexes Eritrea.

Tags: Colonialism, Imperialism, Scramble for Africa, Italian Empire, Annexation, European Powers

Kaiser Wilhelm II dismisses Germany's longtime chancellor Otto von Bismarck, thereafter embarking on the foreign policy of Weltpolitik, as opposed to ...

Tags: Imperialism, German Empire, Weltpolitik, Realpolitik, Otto von Bismarck, Foreign Policy, Diplomacy, European History

Business coalition overthrows the royal government of the Hawaiian Kingdom.

Tags: Imperialism, Colonialism, Annexation, Monarchy, Republic, Political Transition

Taiwan is ceded to the Empire of Japan as a result of the First Sino-Japanese war.

Tags: Imperialism, Colonialism, Sino-Japanese War, Meiji Restoration, Territorial Expansion, Treaty of Shimonoseki, Japanese Empire, Qing Dynasty

Gojong, or Emperor Gwangmu, proclaims the short-lived Korean Empire: lasts until 1910.

Tags: Imperialism, Monarchy, Joseon Dynasty, Political Transition, Sovereignty, Modernization, Korean History

United States annexes the Republic of Hawaii

Tags: Imperialism, Expansionism, Hawaii, Political History, Territorial Acquisition, Foreign Policy, Manifest Destiny

June 12: Philippine Independence from Spain is declared by Filipino revolutionaries, led by Pres. Emilio Aguinaldo, in Kawit, Cavite.

Tags: Nationalism, Independence Movements, Colonialism, Revolution, Political Change

Empress Dowager Cixi of China engineers a coup d'état, marking the end of the Hundred Days' Reform; the Guangxu Emperor is arrested.

Tags: Qing Dynasty, Coup d'état, Political Reform, Imperialism, Monarchy

1899–1900: Open Door Policy proclaimed to protect China.

Tags: Imperialism, Foreign Policy, Diplomacy, Trade, International Relations

Hawaii becomes an official U.S. territory.

Tags: Imperialism, Colonialism, Annexation, Territorial Acquisition, American Expansionism

January 1: The Australian colonies federate.

Tags: Colonialism, Political History, Nationalism, Commonwealth, Self-Government, British Empire

January 22: Edward VII became King of England and India after Queen Victoria's death.

Tags: Monarchy, British Empire, Succession, Imperialism, Governance

March 2: The Platt Amendment provides for Cuban independence in exchange for the withdrawal of American troops.

Tags: Imperialism, US Foreign Policy, Spanish-American War, Treaty, Sovereignty, Political Influence

May 20: Cuba given independence by the United States.

Tags: Independence, Cuban History, United States History, Imperialism, Colonialism, Diplomacy, Treaty of Paris, Spanish-American War, Sovereignty

November 18: Independence of Panama, the Hay–Bunau-Varilla Treaty is signed by the United States and Panama.

Tags: Imperialism, Treaty, Independence, Panama Canal, Geopolitics

April 8: Entente Cordiale signed between Britain and France.

Tags: Diplomacy, Alliance, Imperialism, Great Powers, International Relations

March 31: The First Moroccan Crisis begins, going until April 1906.

Tags: Imperialism, Colonialism, Diplomacy, International Relations, Pre-World War I, Entente Cordiale, Scramble for Africa

October 16: The British Indian Province of Bengal, partitioned by the Viceroy of India, Lord Curzon, despite strong opposition.

Tags: British Empire, Colonialism, Partition, Nationalism, Indian Independence Movement, Bengal, Political Division

December 30: The Muslim League is formed by Nawab Salimullah Khan of Dacca.

Tags: Political Parties, Muslims, Indian Independence Movement, Partition of India, Colonialism, British Empire, Nationalism

July 24: Japan–Korea Treaty of 1907.

Tags: Imperialism, Colonialism, Treaty, Japanese Empire, Protectorate

August 31: The Anglo-Russian Convention bring an end to the Great Game in Central Asia.

Tags: Imperialism, Great Game, Geopolitics, British Empire, Russian Empire, Diplomacy, Colonialism

early October: Austria-Hungary annexes Bosnia-Herzegovina, triggering the Bosnian Crisis.

Tags: Imperialism, Annexation, Nationalism, Austria-Hungary, Diplomacy, Great Powers, Pre-World War I, Geopolitics

December 2: Puyi, the last Emperor of China, assumes the throne.

Tags: Qing Dynasty, Emperor, Monarchy, Imperialism, Dynastic Cycle, Succession

March 10: Anglo-Siamese Treaty of 1909 signed (effective on July 9).

Tags: Treaty, Colonialism, British Empire, Thailand, Imperialism, Political Agreements

March 12: Indian Councils Act passed.

Tags: British Empire, Colonialism, Political Reform, Indian Independence Movement, Representation

May 6: George V becomes King of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions and Emperor of India upon the death of Edward VII.

Tags: British Empire, Monarchy, Succession, Imperialism, World War I

May 31: Union of South Africa is created.

Tags: Colonialism, Apartheid, British Empire, South African History, Political Union, Self-governance

August 29: Imperial Japan annexes Korea.

Tags: Imperialism, Colonialism, Annexation, Japanese Empire, Political History, World War I, Meiji Restoration

April – November: Agadir Crisis.

Tags: Imperialism, Colonialism, Diplomacy, Weltpolitik, Entente Cordiale, Arms Race, Pre-World War I

December 12: New Delhi becomes the capital of British India.

Tags: British Empire, Colonialism, Governance, Political History, Imperialism

February 12: End of the Chinese Empire. Republic of China established.

Tags: Republic, Dynasty, Imperialism, Political Transition, Nationalism, Qing Dynasty

March 30: Morocco becomes a protectorate of France.

Tags: Colonialism, Imperialism, Protectorate, French Empire, Diplomacy, Geopolitics

December 19: The United Kingdom establishes the Sultanate of Egypt as a protectorate.

Tags: British Empire, Imperialism, Protectorate, Colonialism, World War I

April 25: Mandatory Palestine established.

Tags: Mandate System, British Empire, Zionism, World War I, Ottoman Empire, Colonialism, League of Nations

Mohandas Gandhi calls off Non-cooperation movement.

Tags: Indian Independence Movement, Civil Disobedience, Gandhi, British Raj, Political Protest, Nationalism, Colonialism

December 25: Emperor Taishō dies; his son, the Emperor Shōwa (Hirohito) becomes Emperor of Japan.

Tags: Monarchy, Emperor, Succession, Imperialism

Malta becomes a British Dominion.

Tags: British Empire, Colonialism, Self-governance, Malta, World War II

March 12: Salt March by Mohandas Gandhi and the official start of civil disobedience in British India.

Tags: Civil Disobedience, Indian Independence Movement, British Empire, Gandhi, Nonviolent Resistance, Nationalism, Colonialism, Protest

April 2: Haile Selassie becomes Emperor of Abyssinia.

Tags: Monarchy, Emperor, African History, Imperialism, Coronation

November: First Round Table Conference between India and Great Britain, which goes until January 1931.

Tags: British Empire, Indian Independence Movement, Colonialism, Self-Government, Gandhi, Imperialism

December 11: Statute of Westminster creates the British Commonwealth of Nations. Independence of South Africa.

Tags: Decolonization, Commonwealth, British Empire, Independence, Self-governance, International Relations, Diplomacy, Imperialism

Independence of South Africa.

Tags: Independence, Decolonization, British Empire, Commonwealth, Imperialism, Nationalism, South African History

Third Round Table Conference.

Tags: British Empire, Indian Independence Movement, Colonialism, Self-Government, Gandhi, Indian National Congress

March 24: The United States grants more autonomy to the Philippines.

Tags: Colonialism, Self-Government, Commonwealth, Imperialism, Interwar Period

January 20: Edward VIII becomes King of the British Commonwealth and Emperor of India.

Tags: British Empire, Monarchy, Succession, Commonwealth, World War II, Imperialism

Beginning of apartheid in South Africa.

Tags: Apartheid, Human Rights, Discrimination, Legislation, Colonialism

February 6: Queen Elizabeth II becomes Monarch of the Commonwealth realms.

Tags: Monarchy, British Empire, Commonwealth, Succession, Head of State, Elizabeth II, Colonialism

October 29 – November 7: Nasser's nationalisation of the Suez Canal triggers the Suez crisis.

Tags: Cold War, Nationalization, Decolonization, Middle East Conflict, Suez Canal, International Relations, Imperialism, United Nations