The Second Millenium

[Vince53]

Let's look at 1739.

After a Spanish patrol boat near Cuba cuts off the ear of a British merchant ship captain, Spain and Britain begin a minor nine year war. American troops enlist in the Royal army to help. After nine years, Spain and Britian make peace and work at improving relations.


A French explorer finds Bouvet Island, the most isolated island in the world. A frozen wasteland, it is now owned by Norway, which put an automated weather station there and got out.


John Wesley lays the cornerstone of the first Methodist meeting house. The first Methodists were Anglicans who sought a closer walk with God without separating from the Anglican Church.


Cato, a slave captured in the Kongo, leads about twenty other Kongo slaves, including former soldiers, in an unsuccessful march from South Carolina to Florida. The Spanish had promised land to escaped British slaves. Cato and his men are defeated by South Carolina militia, with most of the survivors executed. South Carolina then passes "The Negro Act," limiting education of Blacks while forbidding harsh treatment of slaves.


The first Estonian Bible is printed.

 

[Vince53]

Look! It's 1740!

Benedict XIV begins his eighteen year reign as Pope. An all-around genius who was loved by his subjects, Benedict lowered taxes, built monuments and schools, promoted science (including the controversial “human anatomy&#8221, got the Vatican Museum started (it wasn’t built until after his death), and published several theological works.

He struggled successfully with Catholic governments that demanded the right to appoint bishops. He sided against the Jesuits in allowing Chinese customs, including ancestor worship, into Catholicism, thus losing many Chinese converts. He discouraged Church Councils, insisting that the Pope is infallible, a claim that only a few of his predecessors had made.
He condemned the slavery of American Indians and other indigenous peoples.

Parliament allows Jews to become citizens of American colonies.

And a major ten-year migration of Jews to Palestine begins, as Messianic expectations appear.

 

[Vince53]

We return to 1740

Frederick the Great begins his 46 year reign as King of Prussia. His brilliant military victories with his well-trained army make "Prussian" a synonym for military discipline to this day.

Inheriting a kingdom of disconnected parts, Frederick immediately began seizing Austrian territory, minor German kingdoms, and much of Poland He would eventually have most of Europe, from France to Russia, allied against him, but despite several major defeats, he always won. He personally had six horses shot out from under him.

He practiced freedom of religion, although he barred Catholics from high offices. He encouraged Jewish tradesmen to settle in areas where they were needed, thus increasing the prosperity of Jews. In Poland, where 11 out of 12 people were Catholic. he seized Catholic Church property and strengthened the Protestant and Orthodox minorities in order to gain their support.

After Chinese workers in Indonesia revolt, killing fifty Dutch soldiers, the Netherlands conducts a thirteen day massacre, killing about 10,000 Chinese.

In Georgia, evangelist George Whitfield founds the Bethesda Home for Boys. A strong advocate of slavery, Whitfield uses slave labor to help grow food for the orphans. Today, it is a successful boarding school (It is no longer an orphanage) and 63% of the students are Black.

 

[Vince53]

1741 is a bad year for New york City. They have bad weather, a bad economy, and are hurt by England's war with Spain. And then so many fires break out that people believe a conspiracy exists to burn the city and kill all the White men. A parallel theory exists that poor Whites are uniting with Black slaves to burn down the city.

Hysteria spreads to the courts, and over 100 people, Black and White, are either hanged or burned at the stake. Historians agree that if there was a conspiracy, only a few people were involved.

Russian explorers land in Alaska, claiming it for Russia.

Ben and Hannah Arnold, of Connecticut, become the proud parents of a baby boy. They name their son "Benedict."

Jonathan Edwards preaches "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God" for the first time. Conflicting records say that it was in his own church, with little results (probably true) or that he preached it at a church that had ignored the Great Awakening to a terrified audience (Probably the second place he preached it).

Although criticized and ridiculed, it is widely studied in theology schools and is the most famous sermon outside of the Bible ever preached. The closing line is "Therefore let everyone that is out of Christ, now awake and fly from the wrath to come."

The Centigrade thermometer is invented. Based on water, it has water freezing at 0 degrees C and boiling at 100 degrees C.

After seizing the Throne, Elisabeth of Russia begins her successful 21 year reign. She greatly expands the size of Russia; builds magnificent monuments, palaces, and cathedrals; strengthens the nobility in local areas while reducing their power in national affairs; and strengthens the Alaska fur trade.

 

[Vince53]

It is 1742 today!

Charles VII begins his failed three-year reign as Holy Roman Emperor. A military leader who had seized a lot of Austrian territory for his German kingdoms, he was crowned during a successful war. And then he lost nearly everything he had gained. His general was compared to a drum, because you only heard of him when he was beaten. With the Holy Roman Empire already declining, he hastened its collapse.

Handel's "Messiah" is performed for the first time, receiving a modest reception. Designed for a small orchestra, it has been steadily expanded into one of the greatest musical works in history.

The Catholic Church orders its Chinese churches to say Mass in Latin, not Chinese.

 

[Vince53]

And now it is 1743.

The last wolf in Scotland is shot.

Scientists around Europe observe the transit of Mercury. What is a "transit"? Essentially, it is an eclipse by either Mercury or Venus (which are both closer to the Sun that Earth). Nobody on Earth notices, because the effect on Earth is minimal. But observing the transit allows scientists to measure the size and shape of the planet, as well as measuring how much sunlight is blocked.

England¡s King George II personally leads a 35,000 man army of British, Austrian, and German troops in an invasion of Bavaria. He defeats the French, making it impossible for them to win the war, and then he withdraws. It is the last time that a British monarch personally leads Britain's forces into combat.

 

[Vince53]

Welcome to 1744!

An unsuccessful 85 year long rebellion begins in the Philippines. Frustrated by Spanish oppression, along with mistreatment by the Jesuits, a revolt breaks out. 3,000 Filipinos (Yes, that's the correct spelling) quickly refuse to pay tribute money or to deliver forced labor, and they establish an independent kingdom in the mountains that soon grows to 20,000 citizens.

The new kingdom raids coastal towns, looting Catholic churches and Spanish garrisons.
They repel several invasions, and after 85 years are defeated. A kindly Spanish governor pardons over 19,000 survivors of the last battle.

France and England declare war, and war breaks out in Canada as a result.

The Great Comet of 1744 becomes the fifth-brightest object ever recorded in the sky. It is visible for months.

 

[Vince53]

1745 is a rough year for Britain.

France smashes its way to victories all over central Europe, defeating Britain, Holland, and various German states. Britain does manage to seize a Canadian island from France, but with their forces tied up in central Europe and America, the British cannot stop a Scottish rebellion, as Edinburgh (the capital of Scotland) falls to rebels. The Scots then invade England and are approaching London when they turn back; but even in retreat, the rebels defeat England every time they are attacked.

With the death of its incompetent Emperor, the Holy Roman Empire allows Maria Teresa, a powerful political figure, to put her husband in charge for the next twenty years. Maria actually rules, and she rules well. Her husband assists her and manages the finances so well that he brings Austria (which effectively rules the Empire) from the edge of bankruptcy to a solid financial position.

Istanbul (formerly Constantinople) is devastated by a five day long fire.

 

[Vince53]

Behold, it is 1746!

The Battle of Culloden is the last major battle fought on British soil. A combined French-Scottish army is defeated in Scotland by an English army, Bonnie Prince Charlie is defeated once for all, and the Scottish rebellion ends.

The College of New Jersey, which eventually becomes Princeton University, is founded. Among its notable professors is Albert Einstein.

Peru is devastated by a major earthquake.

 

[Vince53]

Lo! 'Tis 1747!

Once again, Afghanistan fights its way to independence. They will fight four wars with the British, who cannot conquer them. In 1979, with the aid of Afghan Communists, the Soviet Union is able to occupy Afghanistan, but the Soviets are forced to leave ten years later.


England beheads a leader of the Scottish rebellion. It is the last beheading in England.


Momozone begins his fifteen year reign as Emperor of Japan. Surprisingly, he only abdicates a few months before his death, giving the Throne to his sister. During his quiet reign, he receives Korean ambassadors.


Scurvy, a disease caused by lack of Vitamin C, had been a major problem in the British Navy. This year it is proved that citrus fruits prevent scurvy.


Britain has a terrible year. They are beaten in Europe, Canada, and even in Scotland. And then Spain invades and seizes North Carolina. However, American militia drive out the Spanish.

 

[Vince53]

1748 has GOT to be an improvement for Britain. Right?

London suffers a major fire. But they make peace with France, getting Britain out of a costly and unsuccessful war.

Adam Smith begins lecturing on economics. His book "The Wealth of Nations" is the basis of modern economic thought.

"Neptunism" is published by a French diplomat who is an amateur scientist. He theorizes that rocks in the ocean were formed by the combining of crystals. Today it is recognized that many different kinds of rocks were formed by many different methods, but this is one of them.

 

[Vince53]

1749

An English magistrate enlists eight "Bow Street Runners" to help him. And thus, Scotland Yard, one of the world's greatest police forces, begins.

Edward Jenner is born. He will later invent the vaccination shot (ouch) and has literally saved the lives of billions of people.

 

[Vince53]

1750 is a bad year for Istanbul, Turkey. But it's a great year for Portugal.


Istanbul is hit by three major fires, months apart, with over 20,000 homes destroyed.


Jose the Reformer begins his 27 year reign as King of Portugal. He handed most of his power to his minister, who expelled the Jesuits, ended the Inquisition, and seized a vast amount of wealth from the Catholic Church.


The Treaty of Madrid ends armed conflict between Spain and Portugal over their South American empires. Portugal gets most of modern Brazil.


The world population reaches 791 million. With 502 million, Asia has over half. And Alaska, Canada, and the US combined reach 2 million.



England is struck by three minor earthquakes this year.


The once-mighty Mughal Empire is fleeing Persia after being defeated,when they are caught in a massive cold spell. Reportedly, 18,000 soldiers die in a single night.

 

[Vince53]

Welcome to 1751!

George III begins his 69 year reign as King of England. He will start off with major victories over France that will make Britain the world's mightiest nation, and will go on to lose the American colonies and become mentally ill. He also inherits various German states.

A large Persian army surrounds a Georgian army, but suffers a massive defeat when the Georgians launch a furious attack at the Persian center, killing their leader.

In Philadelphia, Benjamin Franklin co-founds the first hospital in the British colonies. Still in existence, Pennsylvania Hospital is operated by the University of Pennsylvania as a teaching hospital

 

[Vince53]

So what's new in 1752?


A census shows 147 Indian slaves living in French househollds in what will later be the state of Illinois. Taken captive from other areas, the slaves were usually unwilling to flee to local Indian tribes.

George Washington joins a Masonic Lodge and remains a loyal Mason for the rest of his life.


The first newspaper in Canada begins publishing. Eventually, it will merge with another newspaper and it still exists, but it is owned by the government and only prints information.


Go fly a kite! Benjamin Franklin attaches a lightning rod to a kite and has his nephew fly it during a storm. Lightning strikes the kite, and a key attached to the line glows with electricity. No, Franklin did not discover electricity--but he proved that lightning IS electricity.


In Moscow, 18,000 houses are destroyed by fire.

 

[Vince53]

It's 1753!

Carl Linnaeus, a devout Christian, publishes his classification of plants into various groups. Since then it has been modified, added to, and improved, but it is still the basis of the scientific classification of plants.

Britain extends citizenship to Jews.

Twenty-one year old George Washington is made a major in the Virginia militia.

 

[Vince53]

It's 1754, and you know what that means...

A small Canadian army attacks an English construction crew in Pennsylvania, warning the English to stay out of the area. A 22 year old hothead named George Washington then leads a small British, American, and Indian army that defeats the Canadians. Pursued by superior French and Canadian forces, Washington is forced to sign a statement written in French that he had assassinated the Canadian leader. (He was innocent, and he didn’t understand what he was signing).
Although England and France were not yet at war, this began the French and Indian War that would cost France its Canadian colonies.


That George Washington is something else, ain't he?


Confronted with secret marriages not under the control of the Anglican Church, Britain places marriages under government control. Every marriage must be publicly announced, have a license, and be performed in a public ceremony.

Starting as a college, Columbia University is founded in New York City.

Osman III begins his three year reign over the Ottoman Empire. He is held prisoner in the palace, ruling little else. But he does manage to preserve various religious sites in the Holy Land.

 

[Vince53]

And in 1755...

China beings the “Ten Great Campaigns,” winning ten wars in the next 37 years.

100,000 people are killed in the Great Lisbon Earthquake in Portugal. The terrified King moves his capital to a complex of tents in case there is another one.


After nine years, Samuel Johnson completes "A Dictionary of the English Language." It is not the first dictionary, but it is the first great one. At the time, it was the second-largest book ever printed, after the Bible.


France had about 60,000 colonists in the Americas, while Britain had about 2 million. But superior intelligence and military tactics help the French inflict a massive defeat on a British force, killing its commander. As the British flee, Colonel George Washington leads American militia in a delaying action. Blending European and Indian tactics, Washington has his men fire from cover, delaying the French, while the British survivors escape. Then the Americans would disappear when the French pursuers got organized enough to attack them. Washington's men would then reform further down and do it again.


The Acadians were French colonists who had been conquered by Britain decades ago. Suspecting them of aiding the French, Britain deports the entire population; about 1/3 die as a result, and the survivors are scattered throughout the Americas and Britain.


Carbon Dioxide is first described.


Saint Ninian's Catholic Church in Scotland is built. Designed to look like a barn so as not to attract Protestant hostility, it is the oldest post-Reformation church in Scotland and is still in use.

 

[Vince53]

1756 is a rough year for Britain.

Formally declaring war on France doesn't help, as France wins battles in Europe and America.

After capturing a British fort in India, the Indians jam prisoners into "The Black Hole of Calcutta." Widely differing reports cannot agree on how many were imprisoned and how many died, but when the cell was opened the next morning, most of the prisoners had died.

The world's first chocolate candy factory opens in Germany, while Prussia starts growing potatoes.

The Romans had known how to make high-quality cement, but their method had been lost. This year it is rediscovered.

 

[Vince53]

1757 is a really good year for Britain--if you live in Asia.

They capture Calcutta, shoot their own admiral (for losing a battle last year) and then defeat a 50,000 man Indian army with an army of 3,000 men.

But in Europe, England and her allies suffer a series of defeats from France and her allies. Except for Frederick the Great, (King of Prussia, and a British ally) who defeats French, Germans, and Austrians everywhere he turns.

Switzerland completes the two longest bridges in the world that are capable of holding horse-drawn vehicles. And they are made out of wood.