Accidents are not accidental: episodes that changed the course of history

2024 Author: Richard Flannagan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-15 23:55

Sometimes simple accidents can change the course of history. One accidentally cleared the stones of dirt, and this led to the gold rush, the other, out of boredom, read a biblical book, and then founded a whole Christian order. This overview presents accidents, the consequences of which have influenced the course of history.

Golden fever

In 1848, James Marshall (James W. Marschall) brought his wife Mary some yellowish stones. Then she made soap and added herbs and minerals to the vat. There the find followed. After the pebbles were "cooked", they acquired a bright shine. These were the first gold nuggets found in California (USA). So the gold rush began. Almost 300,000 prospectors went to California to try their luck.

Boston tea party

By the end of the 18th century, the British East India Company, which traded in tea, declared itself nearly bankrupt. The fact is that when importing tea, it was necessary to pay a tax of 25 percent to the treasury. Such tea could not compete with the cheaper drink smuggled from Holland.

To improve the situation, the British Parliament in 1773 abolished the 25% tax, and instead imposed a tax on the American colonies: 3p for every pound of tea. This measure was purely symbolic and significantly reduced the price of tea. In addition, the metropolis once again wanted to emphasize its dominance over the colony.

In response, the Americans said that they can only be taxed by representatives in parliament, whom they themselves elected. British tea was boycotted. On December 16, 1773, the colonists boarded the ships of the British Crown and threw the entire cargo of tea overboard. This episode was called the "Boston Tea Party." In response to this insolence, Britain brought in troops. The War of Independence began.

Fatal wound

In the middle of the 16th century, the Spaniard Ignatius de Loyola took part in the defense of the city of Pamplona. During one of the battles, the nobleman's legs were broken. After several operations, he was prescribed rest. To pass the time, Ignatius asked to bring him novels of chivalry, but only literature on the biblical theme was in the library. After reading the "Lives of the Saints" and "The Life of Jesus Christ", the Spaniard had an insight. He decided to turn his gaze towards religion and founded the famous Jesuit order.

Map with a non-existent road

In 1798, when France captured Malta, the Russian Emperor Paul I sent part of his army to help the islanders. Russian troops were commanded by Alexander Suvorov and Alexander Rimsky-Korsakov. According to the plan, the generals were to leave Italy and Switzerland and unite in Zurich with the aim of attacking the French troops.

Lieutenant Colonel of the Austrian headquarters Franz von Weyrother offered Suvorov a route along which it was possible to pass through the Alps. Unfortunately, the map was inaccurate, Suvorov lost his way, and Rimsky-Korsakov was defeated. Because of this fiasco, France continued the confrontation, which lasted for 15 years. Despite the failure, Suvorov went down in history as the only commander who has not lost a single battle.