The year 1852 was marked by significant political developments, scientific advancements, cultural milestones, and technological innovations across the globe. This article presents a summary of the most notable events of that year.
Political Events
January 14: The Constitution of France is promulgated, establishing the Second Empire under Napoleon III. This formally transitioned France from a Republic back to an Empire, consolidating the power of Louis-Napoleon Bonaparte.
April 6:Charles Baudelaire is briefly suspended from the Revue de Paris, following controversy surrounding the publication of his Les Fleurs du Mal.
June 29:Henry Clay, a prominent American statesman and former Speaker of the House, dies in Washington, D.C. His death marked the end of an era in American politics, as he was a key figure in shaping compromises to address the issue of slavery.
July 1:Millard Fillmore is nominated to run for President of the United States by the Whig Party, though he would ultimately lose the election.
October 25: Inauguration of Federico Piña Aguilar as president of Guatemala.
November 2: Franklin Pierce is elected as the 14th President of the United States, defeating Winfield Scott. His election reflected the growing divisions within the United States over the issue of slavery, as Pierce advocated for maintaining the status quo on the issue, while Scott, the Whig candidate, had taken a more nuanced position.
November 2: Louis-Napoleon Bonaparte is proclaimed Emperor Napoleon III of France.
Scientific and Technological Events
November 23: The Britannia Tubular Bridge, designed by Robert Stephenson, is officially opened to rail traffic across the Menai Strait, connecting the island of Anglesey to mainland Wales. This engineering feat was a major advancement in bridge construction.
Cultural Events
March 20: Harriet Beecher Stowe's anti-slavery novel, Uncle Tom's Cabin, is published as a book after being serialized. It becomes a massive bestseller, significantly influencing public opinion in the United States and internationally against the institution of slavery. This book, while influential, is often criticized in modern times for its use of harmful stereotypes.
July 16:The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne is published.
The first edition of Roget's Thesaurus is published by Peter Mark Roget.
Other Notable Events
January 28: The University of Louisville is founded in Louisville, Kentucky.
This summary provides a brief overview of the significant events that shaped the year 1852. It was a year of transition, marked by political shifts, cultural upheaval, and technological progress. The tensions surrounding slavery in the United States, as highlighted by events such as the publication of Uncle Tom's Cabin and the presidential election, would continue to escalate in the years to come, eventually leading to the American Civil War.