PREFACE. 



THE volume of the ANNUAL CYCLOPEDIA for the year 1871 presents the 

 close of the most serious conflict in Europe, within a recent period, bj a treaty 

 of more than usual hardship to France ; the rise and frightful struggle of the 

 Paris Commune ; the development of the International Societies ; the seating 

 of a king, elected by the people, on the ancient throne of Spain ; the peaceful 

 operation of a republic in France, one of the oldest of modern kingdoms ; the 

 condition and progress of Italy united under one sovereign, claiming to hold 

 his authority by the votes of the people ; the consolidation of the numerous 

 States of Germany under the powerful house of Prussia, together with other 

 changes brought about under the influence of popular or monarchical principles 

 among the people of Europe. The leading public questions and the relations 

 of the various nationalities arising from race, numbers, military power, wealth, 

 and the combined or antagonistic interests in operation, are here set forth with 

 fulness and completeness. 



Neither was there less of interest or importance in the affairs of the United 

 States than during previous years. The details of the census of 1870 have 

 been more fully worked out in relation to origin, numbers, and classes of popu- 

 lation, industrial pursuits, products of agriculture, commerce, etc., and are 

 inserted in these pages. The rapid recovery of all sections from the effects of 

 the late conflict ; the development and establishment of the central authority in 

 its supremacy ; the changed relations of a portion of the citizens ; the efforts to 

 secure equal political rights and privileges to every one ; the progress of all the 

 States, and especially the Southern, under these new relations ; the struggles of 

 factions ; the local disturbances of citizens ; the rapid material improvement 

 of the people ; and the measures adopted by Congress, with the debates there- 

 on, are herein fully presented. 



The details of the internal affairs of the United States embrace the resources 

 and expenditures of the Federal Government ; the results of taxation ; the 



