Los coleccionables del Museo Zumalakarregi

Instalment 7
1840-1850

During this decade, known as the ‘hungry forties’, the cruel social consequences of industrialisation brought about widespread famine. In Ireland alone, more than one million people died of starvation and thousands more were forced to emigrate to the United States.

Friedrich Engels and Karl Marx published their Communist Manifesto, 1848 a powerful call to the new industrial proletariat. In their manifesto, the two German thinkers described their vision of a fair society with no social classes or private property, i.e. a communist society, and called on workers to unite and overthrow the capitalist system.

The first postage stamp, 1840 the Penny Black, was issued in Great Britain. Seven years later, in 1847, stamps were issued also in the United States.

Alexander Dumas 1844 wrote his two best-known works: The Three Musketeers and The Count of Montecristo. Dumas became known for the adventurous and epic nature of his tales and for the way in which he presented history.

The planet Neptune 1846 was discovered.

With the accession of the moderate liberals to the Central Government, Tolosa became the capital of Gipuzkoa. 1844 During the ancien regime, the province was ruled in turn by San Sebastián, Tolosa, Azpeitia and Azkoitia, the location of the Provincial Government and the Law Courts, through which the central authorities exercised their power. The division of the Liberal State into provinces gave rise to sharp rivalry between Tolosa and San Sebastián.

Gold fever. 1848 An American carpenter discovered gold in California. Despite his efforts to keep his discovery a secret, the news spread like wildfire and people from all over the world rushed to the Wild West dreaming of making their fortunes. More than 10,000 Australians crossed the Pacific. San Francisco became a city of 25,000 inhabitants in a matter of months.

Modern tourism began when Thomas Cook 1841 opened a travel agent’s in London. His first expedition was by rail. Years later, he would transport passengers to England’s midland counties along regular routes.

Livingstone’s first expedition to the Cape colony. 1849 The explorer travelled north, drawing detailed maps and taking copious notes. Livingstone believed in the commercial possibilities of the region, combining exploration with missionary work.

2006 The 19th century in decades. Museo Zumalakarregi Museoa