Seven Small Events That Changed the World: Historically Underrated Events

All history books and popular culture often focus on the grand and sweeping events that shaped the world. However, many smaller, more subtle events have had profound impacts on history. Here are seven such events that changed the course of history in significant ways.

The Weather Effects of 536 AD

One of the most underappreciated events in history is the significant climate change that occurred around 536 AD. Known as the A.D. 536 event, this climate shift triggered widespread crop failures, outbreaks of various diseases, and human-instigated conflicts. The immediate effects of this climatic anomaly were significant, but its lasting impact led to the onset of the Dark Ages.

The initial changes in weather were not immediately perceived as catastrophic by those living at the time. However, the long-term effects were devastating:

Biblical-scale crop failures were witnessed on all inhabited continents. Onset of natural diseases and various pandemics. Outbreaks of human-instigated warfare and the decline of superpower nations.

The 'Justinian Plague' soon followed, resulting in higher per capita deaths than the later and more famous 'Black Death'. This led to a significant decline in laborers, eventually resulting in a period where few records were documented compared to previous and succeeding ages.

George Washington and the “First World War”

Another historical event that remains relatively unknown is how Major George Washington's actions in 1754 inadvertently set off the Seven Years' War, also known as the “First World War.” Back then, Washington was part of the British Continental Army in charge of constructing Fort Necessity near modern-day Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.

Conflicts arose between the British and the French-Canadians, leading to a conflict at what is now known as Jumonville Glen. Washington and his men ambushed and killed Joseph Coulon de Jumonville and many of his men. This action, combined with subsequent events, led to a full-scale war involving most of the European powers and their colonies.

SS Great Eastern: Accelerating the Industrial Age

SS Great Eastern, a ship built in 1858, was intended to be a passenger vessel but played a more significant role in history. The ship successfully laid down the groundwork for global telecommunication by setting up a vast network of cables across the North Atlantic and the Indian Ocean.

Between May 1865 and July 1866, the SS Great Eastern laid 22,450 kilometers of cable, connecting Europe and North America for the first time through telegraph technology. This innovation greatly accelerated the Industrial Age, enabling faster and more efficient communication across continents.

Nagasak was Not the Original Target

Historical narratives often portray Nagasaki as the second city to be targeted in nuclear attacks, following the destruction of Hiroshima on August 6, 1945. However, the need for Nagasaki as the target was not predestined. Recent evidence suggests that Hiroshima was the first choice, and Nagasaki was selected as a backup.

The primary reasons for choosing Nagasaki over Kokura, less than 100 miles away, included:

Weather conditions over Kokura were unfavorable, potentially preventing a successful strike. Japanese Zero airplanes spotted the bombers, prompting a hasty move to another target.

These small factors ultimately led to the choice of Nagasaki as the second city to endure a nuclear blast, drastically altering the course of post-war Japanese history and the broader Cold War dynamics.

Soviet Defection Triggered the Cold War

One of the lesser-known causes of the Cold War was the defection of Soviet citizen Igor Gouzenko from the Soviet embassy in Ottawa, Canada, in 1945. Gouzenko brought sensitive documents that revealed Stalin's plans for the West post-World War II.

Despite initial skepticism, the documents caught the attention of various intelligence agencies. The subsequent investigations and public purges led to the McCarthyism era in the United States and similar actions in Canada.

Had Gouzenko's actions not triggered such a response, the Cold War might have taken a very different path, potentially influencing the geopolitical landscape of the 20th century in unforeseen ways.

In conclusion, while big historical events often receive the most attention, it is equally important to acknowledge the impact of smaller and often overlooked events. These seven examples demonstrate how seemingly small actions or coincidences can have far-reaching and significant consequences.