1887 - Political Events

Political Events

Prince von Bismarck warns Europe against war January 11 in a speech advocating a much larger German army while France is agitated by nationalist sentiment and demands for revenge against her victor in the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-1871 (see 1886). Various European countries form ententes, the Triple Alliance of 1882 is renewed for another 5 years, and a secret Russian-German treaty is signed June 18 following Russia's refusal to renew the expiring 1881 Alliance of the Three Emperors.

Former Polish insurrectionist leader Marian Langiewicz dies at Constantinople May 11 at age 59.

Bulgaria's assembly (Sobranye) elects a new prince July 7 (see 1886): statesman Stefan N. Stambolov has resisted Russian intervention and secured the election of Ferdinand of Saxe-Coburg, 25, a grandson of France's late Louis Philippe, but the prince will not gain recognition from any of the Great Powers until 1896. Stambolov forms a ministry in September that will rule the country with an iron hand until May 1894, suppressing conspiracies and armed uprisings, spreading Bulgarian influence in Macedonia, and establishing a rapprochement with Constantinople.

France's President Grévy resigns under pressure December 2 at age 80 following revelations that his son-in-law Daniel Wilson has been trafficking in medals of the Légion d'honneur. He is succeeded by Marie François Sadi-Carnot.

An Italian-Ethiopian War begins in January. The Ethiopians annihilate an Italian force January 25 at Dogali, but Italy strengthens her position by backing Menelek, king of Shoa, and attacks from Mahdist forces in the north divert Ethiopia's king of kings, Johannes (see 1896).

Britain promises to evacuate Egypt within 3 years in the May 22 Drummond-Wolff Convention with Constantinople, but only if conditions are favorable; Britain retains the right to reoccupy Egypt should that country be menaced by invasion or internal disorder. Egypt's khedive, Tewfik, refuses to ratify the convention.

Britain annexes Zululand to block the Transvaal government from establishing a link to the sea.

Macão off the Chinese coast is formally ceded to Portugal, which has occupied the island since 1557 and will hold it until the end of 1999.

Former Japanese feudal lord Koshaku Shimazu Hisamitsu dies at his native Kagoshima in Satsuma Province (Kyushu) December 6 at age 70. An imposing figure in his time, he has stood six feet tall and weighed upwards of 200 pounds.

Former U.S. minister to France Elihu Washburne dies at Chicago October 23 at age 71.