In 1804 the first steam-powered engine, carrying some iron, ran in Wales, in Britain. But it was almost twenty five years later, in 1829, that George Stephenson, a British engineer, designed the ‘Rocket’ – a steam engine that created history. Trials were held by the Liverpool and Manchester Railway Company, to find the best locomotive engine for a railway line that was being built to serve these two English cities. On the day of the trials, some 15,000 people came along to see the race of the locomotives. During the race, the Rocket reached speeds of 24 mph during the 20 laps of the course. This was due to several new design features. The Rocket paved the way for steam locomotives all over Europe, Asia, and America. The era of steam engines is often called the ‘golden age’, of railways. Gradually though, steam engines were replaced by diesel and electric locomotives. The beginning of the end for steam engines began in the 1950’s. America’s last steam engine ran in 1958, while the last steam engine in Britain was retired from use in 1968.The last steam powered land speed record was set on 23rd January 1906, at Dayton beach in the USA, when Fred Marriot, an American, reached an amazing 127.659 mph in his steam powered car
Nicholas II will be remembered not because he was a great ruler, but because he was the last Tsar of Russia. The rulers of Russia were known as tsars, and Nicholas was the eldest son of Tsar Alexander III. He succeeded his father in 1894. Nicholas encouraged Russian expansion in Manchuria. This provoked war with Japan in1904. The resulting Russian defeat led to riots. Nicholas was forced to grant a constitution and establish a parliament, the Duma. During World War I, Nicholas was away from Russia a lot. Russia suffered heavy losses in the war. In 1917, widespread popular demonstrations began in the capital. Nicholas lost the support of the army, and had to give up his throne. A shaky provisional government was established which was overthrown in October 1917 by the Bolsheviks. On 17th July 1918, Nicholas and his family were executed, and the rule of the Tsars in Russia was over.
Louis XVI was King of France when the monarchy was overthrown. His reign was marked by the outbreak of the French Revolution. In 1774, Louis XVI inherited a kingdom that was in grave difficulty. He was sent to the guillotine and beheaded in 1793, and this marked the end of the French monarchy, and the establishment of the First French Republic.
France. He was forced to abdicate, and the monarchy was restored with Louis XVIII as king. It survived till 1848, when the Second republic came into existence. The Second republic lasted only four years, before Louis, Napoleon’s nephew, proclaimed himself the Emperor. He was ousted in 1870. This led to the establishment of the Third Republic.