1854 in History

President Jose Gregorio Monagas signed legislation abolishing slavery throughout Venezuela.

Advances toward Cetate with reinforcements, helping prompt the Ottoman withdrawal from the area.

Austria enters into a defensive alliance with Prussia against Russia.

Concludes an alliance between Britain and France.

Britain and France agree an alliance.

Leads British warships into the Black Sea as Allied naval pressure on Russia increases.

Leads French warships into the Black Sea alongside the British fleet.

Lincoln condemns the Kansas Nebraska Act and argues against the expansion of slavery

Kansas Nebraska Act helps unite anti slavery Whigs Free Soilers and Democrats against the spread of slavery

Anti slavery opponents in Illinois organize against the Kansas Nebraska Act

Lincoln campaigns against the extension of slavery into western territories

Anti Nebraska candidates gain support in Illinois politics after Lincolns return to public debate

Mobilizes troops to pressure Russia on the Danube.

Uses Balaclava as the British supply base.

Drafts the written cavalry order that contributes to the confused sequence leading to the Charge of the Light Brigade.

Maintains naval pressure on Russian Baltic bases while judging Kronstadt too strong for a direct assault.

Conducts reconnaissance and naval planning during the British Baltic campaign.

Begins the Bang Premiership in Copenhagen and serves as Prime Minister of Denmark.

British and French warships enter the Black Sea, increasing pressure on Russia while supporting the Ottoman alliance.

France and Britain send a joint fleet to the Black Sea and ally themselves with Turkey.

Commands Royal Marines serving ashore during the Allied operations against Bomarsund.

Directs French engineering work that helps reduce the Russian fortifications at Bomarsund.

Directs British warships engaged in the heavy bombardment preceding Bomarsund's surrender.

Serves aboard HMS Miranda during the White Sea operation against Kola.

Commands HMS Miranda during the attack that destroys much of the Russian port of Kola.

Directs British ships in the Anglo-French bombardment of Russian military facilities at Odessa.

Directs French naval participation in the Allied bombardment of Odessa.

Commands HMS Arethusa and engages Russian batteries during the Allied attack on Odessa.

Bombards the fortified Solovetsky Monastery after its defenders reject his demand for surrender.

Gladstone has to increase expenditure on the Services and a vote of credit of pounds 1,250,000 is taken to send a 25,000 to the East so the deficit for the year would be pounds 2,840,000 but Gladstone refuses to borrow the money needed to cover

Gladstones 3rd budget, by May pounds 6,870,000 is needed to finance the Crimean war so Gladstone raises the income tax from 10 and a half pence to 14d and to raise pounds 3,250,000; spirits, malt, and sugar are taxed to raise the rest of the

money needed.

the deficit and increases the income tax by one half from sevenpence to tenpence-halfpenny in the pound (from 2.92% to 4.38%)

Introduces a wartime budget as Britain enters the Crimean War and government expenditure rises.

Retains the Calafat bridgehead after Russian forces abandon their prolonged effort against it.

Obtains Said Pasha's concession to form a company and construct the Suez Canal.

Grants the first concession for construction of the Suez Canal.

Leads French troops during the capture of Bomarsund in the Aland Islands.

Leads French troops in the capture of Bomarsund.

Supports the capture of Bomarsund in the Baltic.

Bombards the Aland Islands and helps the French force the surrender of the garrison.

Anglo-French forces occupy Piraeus to prevent the Greek fleet from aiding Russia.

Leads the Heavy Brigade charge at Balaclava.

Leads the Light Brigade into the Russian gun positions during the famous charge at Balaclava.

Leads the Light Brigade charge against Russian guns.

Carries the disputed order before being killed during the charge.

Sees disease weaken the Allied camp before the invasion of Crimea.

Commands the French expeditionary army sent east.

Receives command of the British expeditionary army.

Takes responsibility for the defence after Musa Pasha is killed by Russian shellfire.

Commands the British expeditionary force cooperating with the French army in the eastern theatre.

The British Government recognizes the Independence of the Orange free state

Faces supply collapse during the first Crimean winter.

Presses Russia to evacuate the Danubian Principalities.

After Russia ignores an Anglo-French ultimatum to withdraw from the Danubian Principalities, Great Britain and France formally declare war.

Declares war after Russia refuses to leave the Danubian Principalities.

Joins Britain in war against Russia.

After Russia ignores an Anglo-French ultimatum to withdraw from the Danubian Principalities, Great Britain and France formally declare war.

Commands Russian land defences during the Anglo-French bombardment of Odessa.

Repels the final Allied landing assault and preserves the Russian Pacific port.

Assists the Ottoman defence of Silistria and helps strengthen its resistance to Russian siege operations.

Enters Silistria with irregular troops and reinforces the garrison during the Russian siege.

Advises the defenders of Silistria and contributes to the successful resistance against the Russian siege.

Holds Silistria against Russian pressure.

Refuses the British surrender demand and helps organize the monastery's resistance during the bombardment.

Elected member of the Cape Colonys legislative assembly for Beaufort West

The Ørsted Government ends in Copenhagen, concluding this term as Prime Minister of Denmark.

Rejects British complaints after Russian batteries fire during the flag-of-truce incident at Odessa.

Sends a boat under a flag of truce into Odessa, where Russian fire triggers a diplomatic and naval confrontation.

The British Government recognizes the Independence of the Orange free state

Elevated to the fifth rank of consorts and given the title "Imperial Concubine Yi"

92% to 4. 38%)

Gladstone has to increase expenditure on the Services and a vote of credit of pounds 1,250,000 is taken to send a 25,000 to the East so the deficit for the year would be pounds 2,840,000 but Gladstone refuses to borrow the money needed to cover

Gladstones 3rd budget, by May pounds 6,870,000 is needed to finance the Crimean war so Gladstone raises the income tax from 10 and a half pence to 14d and to raise pounds 3,250,000; spirits, malt, and sugar are taxed to raise the rest of the

money needed.

the deficit and increases the income tax by one half from sevenpence to tenpence-halfpenny in the pound (from 2.

Allied troops (British, French and Ottoman) landed in the Crimea and besieged the city of Sevastopol, home of the Tsar's Black Sea Fleet which threatened the Mediterranean.

Fails to oppose the Allied landing in Crimea.

The Allies land in the Crimea without any opposition from the Russian Commander.

Lands French troops with the Allied expedition in Crimea.

Lands British troops on the Crimean coast.

Lincoln returns to politics after passage of the Kansas Nebraska Act

Austria masses an army of 50,000 in Galicia and Transylvania.

A joint Anglo-French force is moved to Varna to repel the Russian Invasion of Bulgaria.

Moves British troops to Varna before the Crimean landing.

The Allied force departs to the Crimean Peninsula in a convoy of 150 warships.

The Allied force lands at Old Fort on an open beach 30 miles North of Sevastopol.

Birmingham New Street opens as a central station serving several railway companies.

Anglo-French forces occupy Piraeus to prevent the Greek Fleet from assisting Russia.

Supports occupying Piraeus to prevent Greek aid to Russia.

Makes Maiden Speech in Parliament agaist the 2nd Reading of the Oxford University Bill

The first Great Western Railway service departs from Brunel's new Paddington Station before completion of the roof.

Brunel's permanent Paddington Station formally opens with a three-span wrought-iron and glazed train shed.

Russia rejects Allied peace conditions, the Vienna Four Points.

Britain, France, Austria and Prussia agree peace between the Russian and Ottoman Empires.

Lincoln attacks the Kansas Nebraska Act and the spread of slavery in his Peoria speech

Appointed President of the Argentine Confederation

Begins a one-year term as President of the Swiss Confederation.

Publishes the 1st issue of the Citizen

Kanaris forms a short-lived government during the Crimean War crisis.

Mavrokordatos begins his fourth and final premiership.

Construction begins on Brunel's Royal Albert Bridge across the River Tamar between Devon and Cornwall.

Russia rejects conditions set by the Allies, the Vienna Four Points.

Arrives at Scutari to improve nursing and hospital administration.

Supports sinking ships to block Sevastopol harbour.

Strengthens fieldworks around Sevastopol.

Commands a French brigade in the land operations that reduce the Russian fortress at Bomarsund.

Coordinates French naval forces during the Anglo-French siege of Bomarsund.

Directs Russian pressure against the fortified Ottoman bridgehead at Calafat.

Maintains the Ottoman bridgehead at Calafat during months of Russian pressure.

Takes senior direction of Allied operations at Petropavlovsk after the death of David Price.

Commands HMS Virago in the Allied squadron attacking Petropavlovsk.

Assumes senior British naval responsibility after Price's death during the Petropavlovsk operation.

Commands the British Pacific squadron at the opening of the attack on Petropavlovsk.

Organizes the Russian defence when the Anglo-French Pacific squadron attacks Petropavlovsk.

While Totleben extended the fortifications around the Redan, the Flagstaff Bastion and the Malakoff, the British chief engineer John Burgoyne sought to take the Malakoff, which he saw as the key to Sevastopol.

Begins to bombard Sevastopol.

Allied troops (British, French and Ottoman) landed in the Crimea and besieged the city of Sevastopol, home of the Tsar's Black Sea Fleet which threatened the Mediterranean.

At the start of October, French and British engineers, moving from their base at Balaclava, began to direct the building of siege lines along the Chersonese uplands to the south of Sevastopol.

Directs Russian forces while naval ships are scuttled and their guns and crews are used in Sevastopol's defence.

Leaves Sevastopol and marches to Bakhchisarai to join up with Russian reinforcements.

Oversees the Russian war effort as Sevastopol's defenders use naval guns and crews to strengthen the fortress.

The French forces within the Allied expeditionary force advance toward Sevastopol.

The French sets up a base at Kamiesch.

Develops rifle pits and fieldworks that strengthen the Russian defence of Sevastopol.

Extends fortifications around the Redan, Flagstaff Bastion and Malakoff during the siege.

Constructs the Russian fortifications to defend Sevastopol.

Besieges Silistria on the Danube.

Commands Russian forces during the campaign against Silistria before illness and injury end his active role.

Directs important Russian engineering work during the siege of Silistria and is fatally wounded.

Commands Russian troops during costly attacks on the Ottoman defences at Silistria.

Grants de Lesseps a concession that gives a foreign company rights to build and operate the future Suez Canal.

Makes Maiden Speech in Parliament agaist the 2nd Reading of the Oxford University Bill

The keel of SS Great Eastern is laid at John Scott Russell's shipyard in Millwall.

Surrenders the isolated Bomarsund fortress after sustained Anglo-French land and naval attacks.

Commands Highlanders during the Thin Red Line.

Completes one of the bronze reliefs on Nelson's Column.

Russia rejects conditions set by the Allies, the Vienna Four Points.

Succeeds Abbas I and becomes Wali of Egypt.

Leads a British squadron into the White Sea to threaten Russian coastal communications.

Ends the unsuccessful Russian attempt to reduce the Ottoman position at Calafat.

Birth of Alfred Milner

Birth of Benedict XV, Giacomo della Chiesa

Birth of Paul von Rennenkampf

Dies during the opening phase of the Allied operation against Petropavlovsk.

Is mortally wounded during the first major Allied bombardment of Sevastopol.

Leads French troops up the heights near the coast, helping turn the Russian flank at the Alma.

Commands the Light Division during victory over Russia during the march on Sevastopol.

Commands the Light Division during the Alma advance.

Leads the Guards and Highland brigades of the First Division as the Allies force Russian troops from the heights above the Alma.

Commands the Highland Brigade to victory over Russia during the march on Sevastopol.

Commands the Fourth Division during the Allied advance and fighting at the Battle of the Alma.

Commands the Third Division during the Allied victory at the Alma.

Commands the Second Division during victory over Russia on the march to Sevastopol.

Commands the Second Division at Alma.

Defeated by the Allied forces of France and Great Britain who cross the River Alma. Chooses to fight the French and British on the River Alma on their march to Sevastopol.

Is defeated by Allied forces on the River Alma.

Leads French troops during the Allied victory at Alma.

Helps win the first major Allied battle in Crimea.

Transmits Raglan's cavalry order to Cardigan.

Observes the Light Brigade and comments on its costly courage.

Leads the Light Brigade after receiving Lucan's order during the Battle of Balaclava.

Commands the Highland Brigade.

Commands French cavalry during the battle in which the Chasseurs d'Afrique help cover the Light Brigade's withdrawal.

Directs Russian forces that seize Ottoman redoubts and threaten the British supply base at Balaclava.

Russian forces fail to break the Allied position linking Balaclava and Sevastopol.

Serves with Ottoman troops defending Allied redoubts during the Russian attack at Balaclava.

Defends Cetate through the renewed Ottoman assault until Russian reinforcements arrive.

Brings Russian reinforcements into the fighting around Cetate during the January engagement.

Renews the Ottoman attack at Cetate before withdrawing as Russian reinforcements approach.

Defeats the larger Ottoman corps at the Choloki River and captures its artillery.

Commands the Ottoman corps driven from its fortified position at the Choloki River.

Reinforces Russian forces during the fighting around Giurgiu as the Ottomans regain the initiative.

Takes part in Russian attempts to contain the Ottoman advance near Giurgiu.

Leads Ottoman forces across the Danube and begins the successful fighting around Giurgiu.

Commands Russian troops opposing the Ottoman crossing and advance near Giurgiu.

Commands the Guards Brigade after Cathcart's death and is wounded during the battle.

Brings French reinforcements that help the British defeat the Russian attack at Inkerman.

Commands Guards and Highland troops during the battle of Inkerman.

Commands French forces whose reinforcements help repel the Russian attack at Inkerman.

Leads troops in the confused fighting at Inkerman and is killed during the battle.

Menshikov attempts to break through the besieging troops. Loses 12,000 men compared to the British 3,300.

Fails to break the Allied siege lines at Inkerman.

Commands a Russian column attacking the Allied positions during the battle of Inkerman.

Commands the Second Division and plays a central role in holding British positions at Inkerman.

Leads one of the principal Russian columns attacking British positions at Inkerman and is killed in the fighting.

Helps repel the Russian attack at Inkerman.

Fights at Inkerman with the Guards and is severely wounded during the Russian assault.

Defeats the Ottoman Anatolian army at Kurekdere despite being substantially outnumbered.

Serves among the Ottoman commanders during the defeat at Kurekdere.

Commands the Ottoman army during its unsuccessful offensive at Kurekdere.

Defeats an Ottoman force at Nigoiti, opening the way for a Russian advance toward Ozurgeti.

Commands Ottoman troops defeated at Nigoiti during the Caucasus campaign.