The world into which Whitman’s “Song of Myself” was published was one of innovation and conflict. For example, The Crimean War was in its second year, even as political and racial tensions continued to lead towards the Civil War on the American front. Here are several events highlighting both the conflict and progress of 1855.
Science, Technology and Ideas:
On January 27, 1855, The Panama Railway became the first railroad to connect the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. It stretched from Colón, Panama on the Atlantic to Balboa on the Pacific. The purpose for its construction pertained to the increase of California-bound traffic due to the Gold Rush in 1849. Construction began in 1850, and the first train ran the full length of the track on January 28, 1855. Half a century later, the Panama Railway was of integral importance for the construction of the Panama Canal.
Social Change:
On March 30, the Kansas Territory held its first legislative election. So-called “Border Ruffians,” pro-slavery activists from Missouri, a slave state, crossed the state border into Kansas to ensure the election of a pro-slavery government. The Ruffians furthered sectional tensions in the Territories, bringing the violence of Bleeding Kansas and the Wakarusa War.
Arts and Culture:
In addition to the publication of “Song of Myself” on July 4, a huge cultural milestone occurred on June 15 when stamp duties were removed from newspapers in the United Kingdom, leading to the beginning of a mass-market British media. Although duties had been steadily declining since the 1830’s, this date saw their removal entirely. This was caused by increasing newspaper circulation as major events and improved communications encouraged the public to seek information.
War, Politics and Nature:
On September 11, the Russian city Sevastopol fell to English, French and Sardinian troops after the Siege of Sevastopol (1854-55) during the Crimean War. The Crimean War was fought over the immediate issue of the rights of different sects of Christianity in the Ottoman-controlled Holy Land, but on a greater scale concerned Britain and France’s fear that Russia would gain power and territory as the nearby Ottoman Empire continued to decline. The fall of Sevastopol marked a huge victory for the English and French, as the Russians were inclined to sink their entire fleet to prevent the enemy forces from gaining control. The Russians would go on to lose the war in February of 1856.
Great historical selection from 1856: global wars, global trade, foreshadowings of civil war, and media in the news. One could find those broad headlines over 15 decades later. In terms of formatting, fold the linked text into the main post itself rather than holding it separately at the end.