1845

1845 was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar, and a common year starting on Monday of the Julian calendar. It was the 45th year of the 19th century, and the 6th year of the 1840s decade. The year saw significant events, including the Irish Potato Famine, which was influenced by the British Empire's policies, particularly those of Sir Robert Peel and Lord John Russell. This period also witnessed the rise of Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels as prominent figures in the Communist League.

Introduction

The year 1845 began with the United States Congress passing the Preemption Act of 1841, which allowed settlers to claim up to 160 acres of land for $1.25 per acre, a policy supported by President James K. Polk and opposed by Abraham Lincoln. This act was part of the larger Manifest Destiny ideology, which drove the Mexican-American War and the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. The Texas Annexation was also a significant event, with Sam Houston and Stephen F. Austin playing key roles. Meanwhile, in Europe, the Revolutions of 1848 were brewing, with figures like Giuseppe Mazzini and Louis Blanc advocating for change.

Events

In 1845, the United States saw the Florida Admission Act, which made Florida the 27th state, following the Adams-Onís Treaty between the United States and Spain. The Oregon Treaty established the border between the United States and British North America, now Canada, with James Buchanan and Lord Aberdeen negotiating the terms. The Great Famine in Ireland was exacerbated by the British Government's policies, leading to widespread poverty and emigration, as described by Charles Dickens and Friedrich Engels. The Treaty of Wanghia was signed between the United States and China, marking the beginning of formal diplomatic relations, with Caleb Cushing and Qiying as key negotiators.

Births

Notable individuals born in 1845 include William F. "Buffalo Bill" Cody, the famous American frontiersman, Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen, the German physicist who discovered X-rays, and Ilya Mechnikov, the Russian biologist who discovered phagocytosis. Other notable births include Alexander III of Russia, the future Russian Emperor, Paul Verlaine, the French poet, and Émile Zola, the French novelist. Additionally, John Jacob Astor IV, the American businessman and member of the Astor family, was born, as was George Washington Vanderbilt II, the American businessman and member of the Vanderbilt family.

Deaths

In 1845, several notable individuals passed away, including Étienne Cabet, the French philosopher and founder of the Icarian movement, and Myles Byrne, the Irish rebel who fought in the Irish Rebellion of 1798. Other notable deaths include Carl Wilhelm Scheele, the Swedish chemist who discovered oxygen, Johann Friedrich Overbeck, the German painter, and August Wilhelm Schlegel, the German poet and critic. The year also saw the passing of Robert Smith, the American politician and United States Secretary of State, and Thomas Holcomb, the American politician and Governor of Connecticut.

Science_and_Technology

The year 1845 saw significant advancements in science and technology, particularly in the fields of physics and chemistry. Michael Faraday discovered the Faraday effect, which describes the interaction between light and magnetic fields, while James Joule formulated the Joule's law, which relates to the conservation of energy. The Great Western Railway was completed in England, with Isambard Kingdom Brunel as its chief engineer, and the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad was expanded in the United States. The telegraph was also being developed, with Samuel Morse and Charles Thomas making significant contributions. Additionally, the Royal Geographical Society was founded, with Roderick Murchison as its first president, and the British Association for the Advancement of Science was established, with William Whewell as its first president. Category:Years