This Day in History: October 3rd- October 8th
October 3, 1739 - The Russo-Turkish War is Ended by the Treaty of Nis
The Russo-Turkish war came as a result of Russian hopes to gain control of the Black Sea which started with the conquest of Crimea, and then became under control of the Ottoman Empire. This resulted in a four-year war, at the end of which the Russians only gained control of the port of Azov, and had to surrender the claims on the rest of Crimea.
October 4, 23 - Chinese Emperor Wang Mang is Killed in a Peasant Revolt
The Western Han Dynasty of China was ended with the coup that killed Wang Mang in 9 AD; he established the short-lived Xin Dynasty. After he was killed, the Han Dynasty was restored, becoming the Eastern Han Dynasty, which would last until 220 AD.
October 5, 816 - Louis the Pious is Crowned Emperor of the Carolingian Empire
The Carolingian Empire, founded by the Frankish conqueror Charlemagne, was one of the largest, yet shortest-lived, empires in European history. It spanned France, Germany, and Northern Italy. Unfortunately, according to the Carolingian laws of inheritance, a father had to split his lands between his sons. However, Charlemagne only had one child, so the Empire remained largely intact during the transition. Louis the Pious, despite managing to hold the Empire together, is only really remembered for dividing the Empire between his three sons, thus bringing about its end. Outside of this, his most notable feat was re-conquering part of Spain from the Muslim Andalusians.
October 6, 1908 - Austria-Hungary Takes Bosnia, Sparking a Diplomatic Crisis
On September 6th, two major things happened in the Balkans: Austria-Hungary took Bosnia, and Bulgaria declared independence - both of which took territory from the crumbling Ottoman Empire. This led to protests from all the major powers, which despite resulting in an Austrian diplomatic victory, worsened relations in Europe, helping to lead to World War One.
Political Cartoon showing Austria-Hungary (Left) and Bulgaria (Center) breaking off territory from Turkey / Ottoman Empire (Right)
October 7, 1870 - French Politician Leon Gambetta Flees Paris via Hot Air Balloon
Between 1870 and 1871, France and the German Kingdom of Prussia were at war, the latter of which had marched all the way to the former’s capital and had captured their Emperor (Napoleon III) in just a few months. Under these circumstances, a provincial government was formed, and one of the members of the government (Leon Gambetta) fled the city using a hot air balloon, hoping to gather French Forces away from the Prussian Army.
October 8, 1480 - Great Stand at the Ugra River
After two centuries under the rule of the Mongol “Golden Horde Khanate”, the Russians, led by the city of Muscovy (Moscow), rose up against their foreign rulers. This resulted in the Great Stand at the Ugra River, in which both sides were gathered on opposing banks, yet neither side charged across to engage. Eventually, the Mongols, which had been losing power for at least a century, decided to retreat, thus leading to their eventual dissolution, and the rise of Russia.
