Ozian History
The reconstructed Baum-only history of Oz, organized by explicit and carefully qualified chronological bands.
Before Enchantment
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Oz Exists Before Becoming a Fairyland
Oz once existed much like other lands, already isolated from the rest of the world by the desert surrounding it.
Lurline's Enchantment of Oz
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Queen Lurline Enchants Oz
While passing over isolated Oz, Queen Lurline's fairy band enchants the country and makes it a Fairyland.
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Lurline Leaves a Fairy to Rule Oz
Queen Lurline leaves one of her own fairies to rule the newly enchanted Land of Oz; later Baum identifies Ozma with Lurline's fairy band.
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Deathlessness Begins in Enchanted Oz
From the moment Oz becomes a Fairyland, its inhabitants cease to die naturally or age in the ordinary way, though total destruction remains possible.
Ancient United Oz
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Oz Is United Under a Single Ruler
Many years before the Wizard's arrival, Oz is described as a united land ruled by a sovereign called Oz or Ozma.
The Witch Usurpation
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Four Witches Conspire to Depose the Ruler
Four Witches league together to depose Ozma's grandfather and divide rule among themselves.
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Mombi Captures Ozma's Grandfather
While the ruler is hunting, Mombi steals him away and keeps him a close prisoner.
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The Witches Divide Oz
After the ruler is removed, the four Witches divide the kingdom and rule its four parts.
Transition of Witch Rule
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A Good Witch Conquers Mombi in the North
Before the Wizard's arrival, a good Witch defeats Mombi's rule in the North.
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Glinda Conquers the Evil Witch in the South
Glinda the Good defeats the evil Witch who had ruled the South.
Royal Succession
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Mombi Becomes Jailor of Ozma's Father
After imprisoning Ozma's grandfather, Mombi later keeps Ozma's father prisoner as well.
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Ozma Is Born and Transformed into a Boy
When Ozma is born, Mombi transforms the rightful Princess into a boy so that her identity and claim to rule will not be recognized.
Conflicting Succession Accounts
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Pastoria Is Said to Lose the Crown to the Wizard
In the second Oz book, the Scarecrow reports that the Wizard took the crown from Pastoria, the former King.
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The Wizard Is Said to Hide Ozma
Glinda states in the second Oz book that after taking the throne from Ozma's father, the Wizard hid Ozma by a magical trick.
The Wizard's Era
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The Wizard Arrives in Oz by Balloon
A runaway balloon carries Oscar Diggs across the deserts into Oz, where the people interpret his descent from the sky as evidence of superior power.
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The Wizard Presents Himself as a Wizard Called Oz
Oscar tells the people he is a Wizard, demonstrates tricks, and is called Oz because of the initials O.Z. on his balloon and circus articles.
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The Wizard Orders the Emerald City Built
The Wizard orders the Emerald City built at the meeting point of the four countries; he later credits the people with building it while he supervised the work.
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The Wizard Declares Himself Ruler of Oz
After the Emerald City is completed, the Wizard announces himself ruler of the Land of Oz, claiming authority over the Munchkins, Gillikins, Winkies, and Quadlings.
Immediately Before Dorothy's Arrival
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The Wicked Witch of the East Holds the Munchkins in Bondage
For many years before Dorothy's arrival, the Wicked Witch of the East forces the Munchkins to labor for her.
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The Wicked Witch of the West Rules the Winkies
At the time of Dorothy's first journey, the Wicked Witch of the West rules the Winkie Country.
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The Wicked Witch of the West Uses the Golden Cap
The Golden Cap later comes into the possession of the Wicked Witch of the West, who uses the Winged Monkeys to enslave the Winkies and drive Oz from the West.
Older Ozian Local History
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Gayelette Prepares to Marry Quelala
In an earlier period, the sorceress-princess Gayelette raises Quelala and prepares to marry him.
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Winged Monkeys Drop Quelala into the River
The King of the Winged Monkeys and his band seize Quelala before his wedding and drop him into a river as a joke.
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Gayelette Binds the Winged Monkeys to the Golden Cap
Gayelette spares the Winged Monkeys on condition that they perform three commands for each owner of the Golden Cap, which had been made as a wedding gift for Quelala.
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Quelala Gives the First Golden Cap Command
As the first owner of the Golden Cap, Quelala commands the Winged Monkeys to remain where Gayelette will never see them.
Dorothy's First Arrival
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Dorothy First Arrives in Oz
A cyclone carries Dorothy and her house from Kansas to the Land of Oz, establishing the primary narrative anchor for pre-Dorothy and later history.