The Second Millenium

We return to 1831.

Victor Hugo publishes "The Hunchback of Notre Dame."

The French Foreign Legion is founded.

Bosnia rebels against the Ottoman Empire. Despite winning several battles and killing about eight times as many Turks as Bosnians, Bosnia loses next year. And the Turks do not perform any massacres after winning.

Five year old Pedro the Magnanimous begins his 59 year reign as Emperor of Brazil. He will turn Brazil into a major economic power with a free people. Despite his popularity, he is overthrown by the military, who replace him with a dictatorship.

What? You've never heard of Boothia Peninsula? It is the northernmost point of mainland North America, although there are North American islands still farther north. This year, Britain discovers the magnetic North Pole on the peninsula. No, your compass doesn't point to the North Pole--it points to Boothia Peninsula.

Graham Island appears 19 miles south of Sicily. While four nations are arguing over who owns it, it sinks next year.

Charles Darwin sets sail on the Beagle.

1832


After uniting the Lutheran and Reformed Churches into a national Church, Prussia begins persecuting Lutherans who refuse to join.

A cholera epidemic in London claims at least 3,000 victims. It spreads to France and North America later in the year. Cholera is a bacteria infection spread by contaminated food and water. Proper cooking and using only clean water will usually prevent its spread.

Black Hawk leads a band of Indians from several tribes in attacking settlers in Illinois and Wisconsin, hoping to drive them out of former Indian lands. He is captured after a series of minor defeats, but the US releases him after one year. While imprisoned, Black Hawk was treated as a celebrity and hero and was taken on a tour of four US cities. The regular US Army that fought him included Jefferson Davis. The volunteers who fought him included Abraham Lincoln. Elected captain of a group of volunteers, Abraham Lincoln disobeys orders and allows his troops to fire their guns while on a reconnaissance mission. Lincoln is court-martialed and ordered to wear a large wooden sword for five days.

It is 1833 now.


Britain seizes the Falkland Islands from Argentina and holds them today. 500 miles east of southern South America, these two large islands are just north of the Antarctic. They have valuable oil reserves and a major fishing industry. Britain had established whaling and sealing stations there, but Spain had seized the islands.

Angered at the oppression of their Emperor, large parts of southern Vietnam revolt. Supported by Catholics and Chinese, all of whom were being oppressed, the rebels are joined by a Siamese invading army. Despite rapid territorial gains, the rebels are defeated after three years, and Vietnam begins a rigorous persecution of Catholicism.

Britain abolishes slavery everywhere in the Empire.

350 settlers found Chicago, Illinois. Located where the Chicago River enters the Great Lakes, it is a major port with 2.7 million inhabitants today. An early rail line from Chicago to Dallas, Texas was built before most roads, and it remains one of the busiest rail lines in the US today.

A meteor display is visible over most of North America, as Earth travels through the wreckage of a disintegrated comet.

The science of biochemistry begins with the study of enzymes (molecules which cause certain chemical reaction to begin). The study of chemical activity in living organisms is now a major branch of science.

We welcome you to 1834.

Don't wear a Whig! Founded in opposition to Andrew Jackson, the Whig party will send four men to the White House. Two will die in office, one will be kicked out of the party, and one is a standing joke to this day. After 25 years, the Whigs collapse over the slavery issue.

Giuseppe Garibaldi flees to France after an Italian court sentences him to death for his part in a failed riot. A merchant ship captain, Garibaldi had joined a small group that favored the unification of Italy and freedom from the various European nations that ruled parts of Italy. He eventually flees to South America, where he serves in various armies.

It's 1835. Quote of the year: "Come and take it!"

For the only time in its history, the United States has no national debt.

Batman establishes the city of Melbourne, Australia. Honest! His name was John Batman.

Charles Darwin arrives at the Galápagos Islands aboard HMS Beagle. Studying the differences between land tortoises on separated islands, he begins developing his theory of evolution.

"Come and Take It!" The Mexican army had given a cannon to American settlers in Texas. As anti-government resentment grew, the Mexicans sent a 100 man army to retrieve the cannon. 140 American settlers defeat the Mexicans, and the Mexican War of Independence begins. The Texans quickly seize San Antonio, including the Alamo, a Spanish-built fort. They then sign a declaration of independence, declaring Texas to be a republic.

Narrowly defeated for re-election to Congress due to his strong pro-Indian stand, an angry Davy Crockett heads for Texas to help in their war for independence from Mexico.

About 900 Maori from New Zealand capture an English ship and force it to carry them to the Chatham Islands 520 miles away. The Maori massacre and enslave the 2000 natives, treating them so cruelly that only 10% are alive when New Zealand conquers the islands.

1836 is a very bad year for Mexico.


Arriving in Texas, Davy Crockett quickly heads for San Antonio. Relieved of command for insisting that Texas couldn’t possibly hold San Antonio, Sam Houston had persuaded Colonel Travis to fortify the Alamo and hold on until re-enforcements arrived.

Officially led by Jim Bowie, a former slave trader, Indian fighter, and military leader, who was badly sick; the Alamo was actually commanded by Colonel Travis and Davy Crockett, who didn’t like each other. Travis was a failed newspaper editor and lawyer who had fled to Texas to avoid arrest in the US for unpaid debts

Texas had become a haven for Americans who wanted to keep their Black slaves. Needing settlers to farm Texas, hold off Indians, and pay taxes, Mexico had reluctantly ignored the slaves (Mexico had outlawed slavery, but enforcing it was difficult).

Samuel Colt patents his revolving barrel six-shooter.

During a total eclipse, “Baily’s Beads" are observed. Because the moon has mountains and craters, bright beads of sunlight can be seen around its edges where the Sun can shine through.

Charles Darwin returns to England on the Beagle.

The Mexican Army returns to San Antonio, and tomorrow, so will we.

REMEMBER THE ALAMO! (Texas version)

March 6, 1836

(Play this song while you read the article)

After 13 days of skirmishes and cannon attacks, Mexican President Santa Anna, “The Napoleon of the West,” leads his army against the hopelessly-outnumbered defenders of the Alamo. A Catholic mission built by the Spanish for use as a fort, the Alamo was defended by Texans and Americans.

It is important to remember that the magnificent battle scenes from the movies are inaccurate. After cannonading the Texans all night, the Mexicans stopped just before daylight to let the Texans fall asleep, and when the first pre-dawn light appeared, they attacked. Spotted by sentries, the Mexicans reached the walls before the Alamo could stop them. Breaching the wall on the third try, the Mexicans used two captured Texas cannon to blow down the gate to the inner fort and swarm inside. It was all over by sunrise. And something you don’t hear in American songs and jingles: the Mexicans’ courage was as magnificent as that of the Texans. Under heavy Texan fire, the Mexicans had continued their rapid, steady advance.

Despite their victory, the Alamo was a Mexican disaster. So why didn’t Santa Anna merely wait until he had starved the Texans out? Santa Anna knew that the Texans were starving, but he feared (correctly) that other Texans were raising armies while he delayed; he was losing discipline over his ill-fed troops; and his inability to capture the fort was inspiring other Texans to fight.

Although beloved by his troops, Santa Anna was a political disaster. Serving 22 years as President (not consecutively) he was a brilliant soldier who had defeated the Spanish, the Indians, and various rebels. But when he dissolved Congress and declared himself absolute ruler, three Mexican states, including Texas, rebelled.

Wildly conflicting reports estimate Mexican strength from 600 to 4,000 men. In his request for help, Colonel Travis had stated that the Mexicans had a thousand men or more. The Texans had about 185 men, who were heavily-armed and well-fortified.

Nobody believes Santa Anna’s initial report that Mexico took 70 killed and 300 wounded. (He also reported killing 600 Texans). Years later, he would remark that he had lost half his men at the Alamo (about 1/6 killed and 1/3 wounded). Counting deserters, that would have given the Mexicans about 1,400 men.

Hero-haters and hero-lovers post widely different numbers of how many Mexicans were killed, but American military experts agree that the Texans averaged three Mexicans apiece (about 2/3 of whom would have survived).

Surprisingly, the Mexicans spared all the women and children, as well as the recently-freed slave of Colonel Travis. And in the Mexican version of the story, Mexico (which had abolished slavery), not Texas, was fighting for freedom.

Remember the Alamo! (Walt Disney version) Listen to this as you read today's post.

During the 1950's, Walt Disney discovered a minor but colorful American hero: Davy Crockett. Disney began showing Davy Crockett fiction on his Sunday night TV show and turned an obscure figure into a legend. One fictional adventure after another turned an almost-forgotten politician into a wildly-popular cultural icon, as millions of Americans thought the stories were true. Disney himself would often appear at the beginning of the story, holding a book about Davy Crockett, strengthening the belief that the stories had actually occurred. Artificial coonskins caps became a fad, and Davy Crockett served as a good role model for boys. Impossible marksmanship and incredible victories over evil made these hour-long Sunday night adventures a memorable experience.

But some stories were true: Crockett really had fought for the rights of the Indians, demanding that the US keep its treaties. And Walt Disney had personally treated his Black employees right, even yanking one of his movies from future sales because White children were taunting Black children as a result of the film. In his fictional TV series about Zorro, Disney always pictured Mexicans in a good light. And unlike many childhood stars, the Mouseketeers were always treated kindly.

But business is business, and Disney finally created "Davy Crockett at the Alamo." The hour-long adventure neglected to mention that Alamo commander Jim Bowie had purchased illegally-imported slaves, shipped them west where there was a slave shortage, and sold them for a profit. Bowie had gone to Texas after killing too many men with his knife, including an American sheriff. Nor did it mention that Colonel Travis had fled to Mexico to avoid being arrested in the US for unpaid debts (Travis was actually honest, and the debts were the result of his failed businesses). And nowhere did Disney tell Mexico's side of the story.

Surprisingly, Disney's portrayal of the fall of the Alamo is far more accurate than most, and he does show the courage of the Mexicans in the final assault. Shown in re-runs every few years, the popular Davy Crockett adventures fascinated untold millions of American children (including me) who watched in horror as the Mexicans killed their hero.

¡Recuerden el Alamo! (Mexican version)

https://www.awesomestories.com/asset/view/Santa-Anna-Orders-No-Quarter-Bugle-Sounds For a few days before the attack, the Mexicans serenaded the "Slit Throat," the Moslem battle song for "No Quarter."

The newly-independent Mexico faced a variety of problems. There was too much land, too few people, too many Indians, not enough money, a weak economy, and a people who had not been prepared by their Spanish rulers for freedom. Mexico quickly divided into warring factions, none of which represented the majority.

Mexico had aggressively encouraged American settlers to move to Texas. The settlers brought their wealth, their knowledge, their cattle, and their Black slaves. Banned by Mexico, the slaves produced more wealth (hence more tax money) and by exporting their surplus, the wealthy slave-owners provided the economy with badly-needed foreign currency. And the wealthy settlers had a clear idea of what freedom meant--it meant the rights of an American, including the right to own slaves. Fearing they would lose their slaves, the wealthy settlers began organizing independence movements, even though Mexico had never mistreated them. The majority of Texans, including poor settlers, free Blacks, the slaves, the Indians, and the Mexicans who lived in Texas, did not support independence, and the newly-proclaimed Republic of Texas never represented the majority of its people.

A strong advocate of freedom. Santa Anna eventually decided that Mexico needed a wise and benevolent dictatorship to prevent the nation from collapsing. When he declared himself absolute ruler, Texas rebelled. A competent and dishonest politician, Santa Anna would betray his friends, his supporters, various parties, the Americans, and various Mexican governments, but never the Mexican people whom he loved.

Marching north in the winter without adequate clothes or food, the Mexican army loyally followed their leader, whom they loved. Reaching the Alamo, Santa Anna tried to negotiate a peaceful surrender, finally warning the Texans that he would take no prisoners if they continued their revolt.

The Alamo was a typical fort. Its high walls overlooked a wide, open area that would be a killing ground for attackers. If the walls were breached, the defenders would flee to the inner fort, and the area just inside the outer walls would become a second killing ground. In a pre-dawn attack, the Mexicans reached the walls so quickly that the Texans lost the first killing ground uncontested. As the shooting began, the Mexican band began playing "No Quarter." Breaching the walls against a furious Texan defense that became a legend of courage, the Mexicans were now trapped in the second killing ground. The battle could have gone either way, but the fleeing Texans had left two large cannon in the outer courtyard.

Maintaining order under furious Texan fire, the Mexicans wheeled the two cannon to the gate of the inner fort, blew it down, and poured through. Having pledged "No quarter," Santa Anna ordered the execution of six captured Texans. But he spared the women, children, and Colonel Travis' slave. Wanting to prevent further massacres, he sent the survivors to different Texas militia, trying to persuade them to end the revolt without more bloodshed.

And as word of the Mexican army's incredible courage spread, Mexico stabilized.

For the very last time (I promise) we return to 1836.


Three weeks after his victory at the Alamo, Santa Anna orders his reluctant army to massacre 342 Texas prisoners. The Mexican Army had often released prisoners rather than kill them, but the Mexican government (before Santa Anna had declared himself dictator) had ordered all rebel prisoners executed. Mexican officers managed to spare dozens of prisoners, but after being ordered several times by Santa Anna, the massacre is carried out.

Less than seven weeks after his victory at the Alamo, Santa Anna has a large, scattered army to confront a 900 man Texan army. Allowing his exhausted men to take a siesta without posting guards, he is caught in a surprise attack by the Texans. In a furious 18 minute battle, 632 Mexicans and 9 Texans are killed, the Mexican Army flees in chaos, and the next day Santa Anna is captured. He signs a treaty to evacuate Texas and try to get the Mexican government (which had just overthrown him) to recognize Texas independence. Held prisoner for six months, he returns in disgrace to Mexico next year.

While war with Mexico will continue, Texas is now an independent republic.

And now I'd like some comments. Was it a good idea to spend so much time on the Alamo? Were readers offended at my presenting the Mexican side of the story? Was it a good idea to include music links? Comments appreciated.

It's finally 1837!

An earthquake hits Galilee, killing about 6,500 people.

Quakers in Pennsylvania found the first (and now the oldest) institute of higher education for Blacks in the US. Its high school and university still exist.

Following a financial boom, the US enters an eight year long recession.

18 year old Queen Victoria begins her 63 year reign over Britain.

Abolitionist newspaper editor Elijah Lovejoy becomes a martyr for freedom of the press when a pro-slavery mob murders him.

The first successful camera is invented.

Mexico and Texas use their navies to capture each other's fishing boats and merchant ships, and even raid each other's cities. But after a couple of battles, Mexico sinks or captures all three Texas warships.

1838

You've never heard of Yakutsk? Located in northern Russia, it is the coldest large city in the world. This year the temperature hits -76 F (-60 C), setting a world record for that time.

Nicaragua declares itself independent of the Republic of Central America. With over 6 million people and a stable democratic government, it the largest nation in Central America today. Honduras and Costa Rica quickly withdraw, and the Republic of Central America collapses.

The State of Missouri declares Mormons to be enemies of the state and forces 10,000 Mormons to leave. To be fair, the Mormons really had been planning to seize the state by having all their members emigrate there.

464 Dutch commandos defeat an 18,000 man Zulu army in South Africa. About 3,000 Zulu are killed with no Dutch fatalities. As a result, the Zulu break out into civil war. The Dutch, regarding their victory as a miracle, unite with other White settlers to seize even more Zulu land.

With the backing of the US and Texas, France invades Mexico to force Mexico to pay its debts to France. There are light casualties, and next year, Britain negotiates peace. Mexico pays its French debts and gains Britain as a powerful ally.

Welcome to 1839!


China was gaining heavily by selling goods to Europe while not buying much in return. Britain solved the problem by importing opium to China, selling it for a good profit. China seized the opium, and banned further imports, beginning the lopsided First Opium War, losing after three years.

The Texas Navy is back! Four new ships and one used one, and Texas is ready to go!

The first photograph of the moon is taken.

About a decade after it enters the English language, "OK" first appears in print.

In England, the first telegraph line is set up.

A Spanish ship had illegally purchased slaves from Sierra Leone. While in the Caribbean, the slaves revolt and seize the ship. They are captured by the US, where courts rule that the Blacks had never been slaves (Spain had outlawed the African slave trade, while keeping those already enslaved), and that free men are allowed to use force to free themselves. After two years of court battles, the Blacks are returned to Africa.

Britain seizes Hong Kong from China.

In Britain's last major armed revolt, about 3,000 coal miners attack a hotel where sympathetic politicians and coal miners were imprisoned. British troops easily defeat the rebellion.

Meanwhile, Britain forces Egypt to return territory to the Ottoman Empire. Britain fears the might of Russia and wants Turkey as an ally.

Charles Goodyear did not invent rubber, but this year he invents the first commercially successful method of producing high-quality rubber.

Welcome to 1840!


The screams of a Lakota Indian woman giving birth startle a recently-captured wild stallion, who then fights his Indian captors with furious courage. Hoping that the stallion’s courage will inspire their newborn son, the parents name him after the stallion. And, decades later, “Crazy Horse” will indeed become a legend of courage.

The United States sponsors its first oceanic science expedition. They discover Wilkes Land, the Antarctic coast that is closest to Australia, helping prove that Antarctica is a continent. They explore 280 islands (mostly in the Pacific) collect thousands of plant specimens, and accumulate a vast amount of new scientific knowledge.

A Christian boy disappears on the island of Rhodes (off the coast of Greece) that was part of the Ottoman Empire. With support from major European powers, the Greek Orthodox Church claims that the Jewish community did it. While backing the Greek Orthodox, the Moslem rulers isolate the Jewish community for twelve days before declaring them innocent.

At the same time, a Catholic priest and his Greek servant disappear in Damascus. Encouraged by the Catholic Church, the Moslem rulers torture thirteen Jewish prisoners, four of whom die, before declaring the Jews innocent.

Britain signs a vague and controversial treaty with Maori chiefs in New Zealand, giving Britain sovereignty over New Zealand while protecting Maori rights. Misrepresenting the treaty to the chiefs, Britain led them to believe that the Maori would still govern their own internal affairs.

And Britain solves its complicated system of fees for mail delivery by issuing the first postage stamp.

David Livingstone, the great Scottish missionary, explorer, doctor, and scientist heads for Africa.

There are about 6,000 free Blacks in the US who own slaves.

1841

Mount Erebus, the southernmost active volcano in the world, is discovered in Antarctica.

The first recorded observance of Groundhog Day. Begun centuries ago, and using a variety of animals, if the creature does not see its shadow on February 2, winter weather will end soon. Statistics indicate that these predictions are correct 50% of the time.

Britain unites Canada into a single colony. However, Newfoundland, the large island off Canada's northeast coast, is not included. The shortest route from Europe that sails south of the ice will take you to Newfoundland.

William Henry Harrison's wife gets her wish. She didn't want her husband to be President, so she angrily sets down in the White house and refuses to carry out her duties. The new President, who had caught a cold giving his inaugural address, actually goes grocery shopping every morning in cold weather. He develops pneumonia and dies one moth after being sworn in. Vice-president John Tyler is then sworn in as President.

The monkey wrench is invented. A powerful adjustable hand wrench, it helps advance manufacturing by making building and repairing heavy machinery much easier. Over time, it is replaced by the pipe wrench and the thumb wrench.

Welcome to 1842!


A defeated China grants huge rights to Britain, including giving them Hong Kong.

In one of the greatest disasters in British military history, almost all of a 16,500 person British force (including women, children, and servants, are killed during a week-long retreat in freezing weather from Kabul, Afghanistan. The victorious Afghans then besiege a British fort at Jallalabad. The defenders become national heroes for holding on until rescued.

Anesthesia is first used during surgery.

Wealthy citizens of Rhode Island used their colonial charter to keep most citizens from voting. A Harvard graduate leads a rebellion in which no one is killed, establishing a separate government. The state finally writes a new constitution.

In the US, the University of Notre Dame and the Citadel (a state-operated military academy) are founded. Seven other colleges or universities are also founded this year.

The word "dinosaur" is invented. Although they are not "terrible lizards"--they aren't even lizards--the name has stuck.

"Bah! Humbug!" It is 1843.

Britain discovers Snow Hill Island, the closest part of Antarctica to South America.

March 21--William Miller's great prediction that the world will end does not come true.

Britain completes a tunnel under the Thames River. A scientific marvel that is a financial failure, it is used by pedestrians and tourists until purchased by a railroad, and it is still in use.

Evangelical Christians break off from the Church of Scotland to form The Free Church of Scotland. It eventually unites with the Presbyterians and they later return to the Church of Scotland.

About 1,000 pioneers set off in a wagon train along the 2,200 mile long Oregon Trail. Connecting Missouri (in the central US) with Oregon (in the northwest US) the trail will eventually be used by 400,000 settlers. Today it forms parts of various highways.

Charles Dickens' famous novel "A Christmas Carol" is published and sells out in six days. In an unrelated event, Christmas cards are invented.

The first computer program is written. This is quite an achievement, as computers have not yet been invented.

1844 is a very disappointing year.

“The Great Disappointment” occurs on October 22. William Miller, a Baptist preacher, had predicted the Second Coming of Christ three times that year, always concluding that although he had gotten the exact dates wrong, it was imminent. Another preacher predicts October 22, and the message spreads rapidly. As disillusioned Millerites come up with different explanations, the Seventh Day Adventists begin.

The first US ambassador arrives in China.

The Ottoman Empire allows Jews to settle in the Holy Land.

Hong Kong forms the world's second modern police force.

"What hath God wrought," sent from Washington DC to Baltimore, Maryland, is the first telegraph message.

In London, the YMCA is founded.

Joseph Smith, founder of the Mormon religion, is killed by a mob that storms the jail where he is being held.

You've never hear of the great auk? These flightless birds with webbed feet were almost three feet tall. Breeding only on isolated rocks in the Atlantic Ocean, they had been part of American Indian culture, and their feathers were in demand in Europe. This year, the last known pair are killed in Iceland.

For the first time, Britain produces three million tons of iron in one year.

1845 "Nevermore"

Edgar Allen Poe publishes his creepy poem "The Raven."

An Indian raiding party is surprised when a fourteen year old raider, nicknamed “Slow,” exhibits tremendous courage, so they change his name. “Sitting Bull” will go on to become a legendary Indian leader.

After splitting over slavery, Baptists form the Southern Baptist Convention. With about 12 million members today, it is the second-largest religion in the US. Freely admitting that they were partly to blame for the American Civil War and America’s racial problems, the Convention would first become a leader in fighting against Black civil rights, and then become a leader in defending those same rights. In 2012, the Convention elected its first Black president.

Raiding each other's cities and capturing each other's merchant ships and fishing boats, Texas and Mexico are struggling with bankruptcy. The Republic of Texas can't pay its bills. So, the Texans throw in the towel and ask to join the United States. With the approval of the Texas government, the US annexes Texas, angering Mexico, which still claims Texas. A few months later, Texas is made a state.

In New Zealand, the Maori rebel against their British rulers, losing after ten months.

The rubber band is patented.

Two British ships, Erebus and Terror, set off to find the Northwest Passage across northern Canada. They enter Baffin Bay and are never seen again. The wreckage of the Erebus was discovered in 2014.

In Ireland, the seven year long "Great Famine" begins when potato blight breaks out. About 1/4 of the nation will die or emigrate, many to the United States.

John Henry Newman, a prominent British Anglican priest and theology professor, converts to Catholicism in return for being made a Catholic priest.

The US Navy Academy opens.

It's 1846!


54 year old Pius IX begins his 32 year reign as Pope, the longest-serving Pontiff in history. He called a council to declare the Pope infallible, but only on limited occasions. He decreed that Mary was conceived without a sinful nature, claiming infallibility for the decree. (Mary had said “My soul rejoices in God my Savior”. If she had been sinless, she wouldn’t have needed a Savior).

Pius began his reign as a kind-hearted ruler, releasing political prisoners in the Papal States, but as terrorism spread through the Papal States, he turned against political freedom.

His still-controversial Syllabus of Errors condemned many freedoms, along with Bible Societies.

During his reign, Italy will be reborn as a nation, and the Italian Army will capture the Papal States. (Mussolini later restored a small territory, Vatican City, which is now an independent nation.) When the government of Italy offered concessions that they could modify at any time, he refused, making himself a prisoner in the Vatican.