1716

1716 was a leap year in the early 18th century that saw ongoing military, political, and scholarly activity across Europe, Asia, and the Atlantic world. The year reflected the continuation of long-running conflicts as well as notable cultural developments.

In East Asia, the Qing dynasty under the Kangxi Emperor saw a major scholarly achievement with the publication of the Kangxi Dictionary (Kangxi Zidian). Completed in 1716, it was one of the most comprehensive dictionaries for Chinese characters and became a foundational reference for scholars and officials.

In Europe, military and political tensions persisted as part of the broader conflicts of the era. Sweden’s Charles XII launched a campaign into Norway as part of the ongoing Great Northern War, engaging in sieges and battles that underscored Sweden’s bid to advance its interests in Scandinavia. In Britain, the aftermath of the 1715 Jacobite rising continued to influence policy and security measures against supporters of the House of Stuart. In the Balkans, hostilities between the Ottoman Empire and neighboring powers continued, foreshadowing the adjustments that would culminate in the Treaty of Passarowitz a couple of years later.

Notably, Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz, the German philosopher and mathematician who contributed to the development of calculus and logic, died on November 14, 1716, marking the end of a prolific and influential career.

Across other regions, the year carried on with the usual pace of colonial administration and international diplomacy, with no single event dominating globally but many ongoing developments shaping the era.