1870s - Definition and Overview

Events and Trends

Technology

• Invention of the telephone (1876) and phonograph (1877)

Science

• James Clerk Maxwell's theory of electromagnetism
• Ludwig Boltzmann's statistical definition of thermodynamic entropy

War, peace and politics

• Franco-Prussian War (1870–1871) results in the collapse of the Second French Empire and in the formation of both the French Third Republic and the German Empire
• Continuing expansion of the British Empire; beginning of the New Imperialism
• Romania declares independence following war against Turkey

Other

• In the United States, continuation of post-Civil War reconstruction until its conclusion under President Rutherford B. Hayes in 1877

World Leaders

• Emperor Franz Josef (Austria-Hungary)
• Prime Minister Sir John A. Macdonald (Canada)
• Prime Minister Alexander Mackenzie (Canada)
• Tongzhi Emperor (China)
• Guangxu Emperor (China)
• Emperor Wilhelm I (Germany)
• Chancellor Otto von Bismarck (Germany)
• King Victor Emmanuel II (Italy)
• King Umberto I (Italy)
• Emperor Meiji (Japan)
• Pope Pius IX
• Pope Leo XIII
• Emperor Alexander II (Russia)
• Queen Victoria (United Kingdom)
• Prime Minister William Ewart Gladstone (United Kingdom)
• Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli (United Kingdom)
• President Ulysses S. Grant (United States)
• President Rutherford B. Hayes (United States)