Early Modern
Trial of John Peter Zenger (1735): Press Freedom in New York
The jury found Zenger not guilty of seditious libel, a landmark for the idea that truth should be a defence and for freedom of the press in America.
Era · c. 1500 – 1800
Early Modern
Voyages of exploration, the Reformation and the age of revolutions that reshaped Europe and the wider world.
Early Modern
Nader Shah: The Afsharid Conqueror Who Sacked Delhi
Nader restored Iran's borders and founded the short-lived Afsharid dynasty, but his empire fragmented after his assassination in 1747.
Early Modern
Battle of Karnal (1739) and Nader Shah's Sack of Delhi
Decisive Persian victory; Nader Shah occupied Delhi, massacred thousands of its inhabitants and carried off the Mughal treasury, including the Peacock Throne.
Early Modern
Vaucanson's Digesting Duck (1739): The Famous Automaton
The duck made Vaucanson famous across Europe, although its apparent digestion was later shown to be a trick.
Early Modern
Stono Rebellion (1739): Largest Slave Revolt in British America
The revolt was crushed within a day; about 21-25 colonists and at least 35-50 rebels died, and South Carolina passed the restrictive Negro Act of 1740.
Early Modern
Anson's Voyage Round the World (1740-1744): Scurvy and Silver
Only the flagship Centurion completed the circumnavigation, but it captured the Manila galleon Nuestra Señora de Covadonga and returned with a huge treasure.
Early Modern
Batavia Massacre (1740): The Killing of the Chinese in Batavia
An estimated 10,000 ethnic Chinese were killed inside Batavia, and the violence spread into the Java War of 1741-1743.
Early Modern
War of the Austrian Succession (1740-1748): Maria Theresa's Fight
Maria Theresa kept most of her inheritance and her husband became emperor, but Prussia retained Silesia under the Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle of 1748.
Early Modern
Battle of Cartagena de Indias (1741): Blas de Lezo Holds Firm
Spanish victory; the British expedition withdrew after failing to take the city and losing thousands of men, mostly to disease.
Early Modern
New York Conspiracy of 1741: Fires, Panic and Executions
After months of trials, 30 Black men and 4 white people were executed and more than 70 Black people were transported out of the colony.
Early Modern
Battle of Dettingen (1743): George II Leads His Army to Victory
Victory for the Pragmatic Army of British, Hanoverian and Austrian troops, which escaped a French trap and reached Hanau.
Early Modern
Jacobite Rising of 1745: Bonnie Prince Charlie's Campaign
The rising failed: after reaching Derby the Jacobite army retreated to Scotland and was destroyed at Culloden in April 1746, ending the Stuart cause as a military threat.