New Zealand in the 1700s
The most significant piece of history for New Zealand in the 18th century was the European discovery of New Zealand. The first European sighting of New Zealand was by Abel Tasman, however, he did not go ashore due to a bloody encounter with Māori. A century later, Captain James Cook sighted and landed in New Zealand in 1769, and drew detailed and accurate maps and wrote about the Māori people. His crewmates, Joseph Banks and Daniel Solander, gathered a large amount of information about the New Zealand flora and fauna, and their records formed the foundation of the modern study of New Zealand botany.
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America in the 1700s
The 18th Century was the time of the American Revolution. It was the first time in history that people fought for their independence in the name of principles such as constitutional rights and popular sovereignty. Americans were getting tired of the rules, regulations and taxes of the British Crown, and the once harmonious relations between Britain and America became increasingly tense, and resulted in a war between the two countries. Although Britain had many advantages, America ultimately conquered and gained independence, but not without 7,200 Americans dying during battle, 10,000 due to disease and exposure, and 8,200 while in British prisons.
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