ATLAS / WORLD HISTORY IN PICTURES

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Find your way through history.

Explore 228 entries across places and centuries. Follow an event, compare its context, and examine the evidence.

6 entries · Earliest to latest

1848–1849 CENew study
A session of the Frankfurt National Assembly on 16 September 1848, in a contemporary lithograph by Fr. Wentzel. The printed scene is an artist-mediated interpretation, not a photograph or verbatim record of the debate. Fr. Wentzel / Wien Museum, HMW 88579 · CC0 1.0 · Full frame retained; resized and converted to WebP · Licence terms

Europe / Rights

The revolutions of 1848–1849 and the Frankfurt Assembly

Liberal, democratic and national movements challenged Europe’s established order. The Frankfurt Assembly attempted to create a constitutional German nation-state.

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1911–1912 CENew study
A 1911 color woodcut cataloged by the Library of Congress as “Marshal Li recovering Nanjing during the Xinhai Revolution of 1911.” It is a dramatic period artwork—not a photograph—and its artist is unknown. Unknown artist / Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division / Wikimedia Commons · Public domain · Library JPEG converted to WebP · Licence terms

Asia / Empire

China’s 1911 Revolution and the end of Qing rule

Revolution ended the Qing dynasty, but establishing a republic did not settle how China would be governed or reunified.

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1945–1949 CENew study
Sukarno, accompanied by Mohammad Hatta, proclaims Indonesia’s independence in Jakarta on 17 August 1945. The photograph records the proclamation ceremony, not the subsequent independence war. Frans Mendur / Indonesian Department of Information; National Library of Indonesia Presidential Documents collection / Wikimedia Commons · Public domain · Touched-up archive derivative converted to WebP · Licence terms

Asia / Empire

Indonesia’s independence: proclamation, revolution and sovereignty

Indonesians proclaimed independence in 1945 and fought Dutch efforts to restore colonial rule. The transfer of sovereignty in 1949 was a later milestone.

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1954–1962 CENew study
Soldiers of Algeria’s National Liberation Army gathered beneath an Algerian flag during the War of Independence, 1958. The image provides an FLN military perspective, not the experiences of civilians, French forces or political negotiators. Zdravko Pečar / Museum of African Art, Belgrade / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Resized and converted to WebP; derivative under the same licence · Licence terms

Africa / Empire

Algerian independence: war, sovereignty and the cultural inheritance

The war for independence ended French colonial rule in Algeria. Political sovereignty also raised questions about archives, art and who would control the cultural inheritance.

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1959–1962 CENew study
Fidel Castro speaks to reporters in Washington, D.C., on 15 April 1959, after the revolutionary victory. This post-victory diplomatic image centers Castro; it does not depict the overthrow of Batista, popular participation or early policy change. Unidentified U.S. News & World Report photographer / Library of Congress, LC-DIG-ppmsc-03256 / Wikimedia Commons · Rights dedicated to the public upon collection donation · Resized and converted to WebP · Licence terms

Americas / Rights

Cuba’s revolution and the changing Cold War alignment

The overthrow of Batista opened a struggle over political power and property. Cuba’s relationship with the United States deteriorated as ties with the Soviet Union strengthened.

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1966–1976 CENew study
Performers stage the model ballet The Red Detachment of Women at Beijing’s Great Hall of the People during the Nixon visit, 22 February 1972. This official performance documents state-approved aesthetics, not daily life or political persecution. Byron E. Schumaker / Nixon Presidential Materials / U.S. National Archives / Wikimedia Commons · U.S. federal work, public domain · Converted to WebP · Licence terms

Asia / Rights

China’s Cultural Revolution: mobilisation, persecution and power

Mao’s Cultural Revolution mobilised students and other groups against supposed enemies, destabilised institutions and subjected people to persecution.

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