The year 1804 proved a remarkable year in world history, in the arts, in science and industry, and in the shifting sands of liberty and empire. Between its beginning and end, war and revolution draws new boundaries in the Americas, the Caucuses, Africa, India and Europe, and significant adjustments and consolidations of political power take place all over the globe. This revolutionary age reaches a kind of climax: a good starting point for understanding the 19th century that emerged.

I suggest a perceptible change of circumstances occurs that looks evident in retrospect, but might have seemed momentous to those alert to world affairs at the time. 220 or so years later in a series of posts I’ll look at significant global events throughout the four seasons of 1804. I’ll explore their background and their consequences, and trace connections and parallels between them to make some meaning out of the events of the year.