mid1840s

The mid1840s refers to the years around 1844–1846, a period marked by rapid industrialization, imperial expansion, and social change in several world regions. The decade sits between the early-1840s wave of modernization and the more widespread political upheavals of the late 1840s.

In Europe, industrialization continued to accelerate, with railways expanding and communications improving through telegraph networks. Economic reform movements gained traction in liberal circles, culminating in the repeal of the Corn Laws in Britain in 1846, a decision that reduced protectionist grain tariffs and reshaped agricultural policy. The era also saw intensified famine conditions in Ireland beginning in 1845, triggering large-scale emigration and shifting population patterns.

Across the Atlantic, the United States pursued territorial expansion: Texas was annexed in 1845, and the Mexican-American War began in 1846, reshaping the border and influence in North America. The Oregon Treaty of 1846 resolved competing claims with Britain over the Pacific Northwest. The period also witnessed broader social and political ferment, including the growth of abolitionism and regional reform movements.

In science and culture, notable advances included the discovery of Neptune in 1846, reaffirming the capabilities of mathematical astronomy, and continued progress in communications technology such as the telegraph and printing. Across non-Western regions, imperial and regional powers navigated consolidation, trade, and conflict within evolving global networks.