Reforms in the 19th century History Timeline and Biographies

1807

Abolition of the Slave Trade Act in Britain

The British Parliament passed the Abolition of the Slave Trade Act, making it illegal to engage in the slave trade within the British Empire. This was a significant step towards the eventual abolition of slavery itself.

1829

Catholic Emancipation Act in the United Kingdom

The Catholic Emancipation Act allowed Catholics to sit in the British Parliament and hold other public offices, marking a major step towards religious equality in the UK.

1832

Reform Act 1832 in the United Kingdom

The Reform Act 1832, also known as the Representation of the People Act, reformed the British electoral system by redistributing seats in the House of Commons and extending the franchise to more men, particularly from the middle class.

1833

Abolition of Slavery Act in the British Empire

The Abolition of Slavery Act 1833 was passed by the British Parliament, leading to the emancipation of slaves throughout most of the British Empire, with compensation provided to slave owners.

1842

Mines Act in the United Kingdom

The Mines Act of 1842 prohibited all women and boys under ten years old from working underground in coal mines, marking a significant step towards improving labor conditions.

1848

Public Health Act in the United Kingdom

The Public Health Act 1848 established a central board of health and aimed to improve sanitary conditions in towns and cities, addressing issues such as waste disposal and clean water supply.

1850

Compromise of 1850 in the United States

The Compromise of 1850 was a series of legislative measures aimed at resolving regional tensions between free and slave states, including the admission of California as a free state and the establishment of new territories with the question of slavery to be determined by popular sovereignty.

1861

Emancipation of Serfs in Russia

Tsar Alexander II issued the Emancipation Edict, which freed the serfs in Russia, granting them the rights to own property and marry without their landlords' consent, fundamentally changing Russian society.

1867

Reform Act 1867 in the United Kingdom

The Reform Act 1867, also known as the Second Reform Act, further extended the franchise in Britain, doubling the number of men eligible to vote and including many urban working-class men.

1870

Education Act in the United Kingdom

The Education Act 1870, also known as the Forster Act, established the framework for elementary education in England and Wales, making education accessible to all children and marking the beginning of compulsory education.

1881

French Educational Reforms

Jules Ferry's laws were enacted in France, making primary education free, mandatory, and secular, significantly improving literacy rates and educational standards in the country.

1884

Reform Act 1884 in the United Kingdom

The Reform Act 1884, also known as the Third Reform Act, extended the right to vote to rural working men, further democratizing the British electoral system.

1888

Local Government Act in the United Kingdom

The Local Government Act 1888 established county councils in England and Wales, creating a more structured and democratic system of local governance.

1890

Sherman Antitrust Act in the United States

The Sherman Antitrust Act was passed by the U.S. Congress to combat monopolies and promote fair competition, marking the beginning of antitrust legislation in the United States.

1894

Local Government Act in the United Kingdom

The Local Government Act 1894 established elected parish councils and rural district councils, further democratizing local government and increasing public participation in governance.

1897

First Zionist Congress

The First Zionist Congress, convened by Theodor Herzl in Basel, Switzerland, marked the beginning of the organized Zionist movement, aiming for the establishment of a Jewish homeland in Palestine.