Breadth Topic 2: Changes in weaponry and the role of the people Flashcards
Explain how the Industrial Revolution benefitted the Royal Navy in the French Wars, 1794-1815
Industrialisation, which was unique to Britain during this period, allowed the mass production of ammunition and weaponry. Additionally, the introduction of ‘coppering’ by Rear-Admiral Middleton prevented the wood of the ships from being attacked by ship worn and marine weeds growing.
Explain how the Industrial Revolution advanced the Royal Navy from Wood to Iron in the years 1830-1880
Explain how the Industrial Revolution advanced the Royal Navy from Sail to Steam in the years 1830-1880
Explain how technological developments had transformed naval warfare at the start of the twentieth century
Explain how the Industrial Revolution benefitted the British Army in the French Wars, 1794-1815
During this period, Britain was the only nation to have experienced an Industrial Revolution, which increased industrial production capacity. By being able to mass produce supplies needed for warfare (ammunition, vessels, uniform), the Army had plentiful supplies. Whilst Congreve rockets, carronades and coppering were developed during this time, weaponry did not significantly change during this time.
Explain the transition from muzzle-loaded cannons to breech-loaded artillery
Muzzle-loaded cannons, where the projectile (cannon ball) enters through the mouth of the gun then rammed to the back of the cannon, were incredibly time consuming to reload, hence why breech-loaded cannons were used. The ammunition was loaded into a chamber at the back, then sealed by a mechanical door, making rounds much more time-efficient and much more devastating for opposing forces.
Explain the transition from muzzle-loaded ‘Brown Bess’ muskets to Lee-Metford magazine-loaded bolt-action rifles
The same principles of muzzle-loading weaponry to breech-loading weaponry in artillery also applies to small arms, including the ‘Brown Bess’ musket and the Lee-Metford rifles. By increasing from three rounds a minute using the Brown Bess for skilled infantrymen to fifteen using a Lee-Metford, small arms were fundamentally transformed by the work of William Armstrong’s company, Elswick Works, due to their invention of breech-loading artillery.
Assess the importance of William Armstrong’s 1855 invention of breech-loaded artillery
Armstrong’s invention revolutionised artillery by making reloading times a fraction of the time it took with muzzle-loading weaponry and broadened their range. Cannons also became much more devastating as a result as well as rifles, with the muzzle-loading flintlock ‘Brown Bess’ firing three rounds a minute compared to bolt-action magazine loading rifles used in the Boer and First World War which fired fifteen rounds a minute.
Assess the importance of Hiram Maxim’s 1884 invention of the machine gun, and its effects on nineteenth and twentieth century warfare
The machine gun significantly changed warfare by ending calavlry charges due to the destruction machine guns caused, and led to the popularity of trenched and they could protect troops from their fire. The destructive nature of this small arms can be seen in the Battle of Omdurman where, despite fighting against an army twice its size, the British killed 12,000 and wounded 13,000 in comparison to the 50 dead and nearly 400 wounded for the British, which took place fourteen years after its invention.
Assess the important of Edward Butler’s 1884 invention of the internal combustion engine, and its effects on twentieth century warfare
Designed to improve social issues and transport supplied by horses, the ICE provided a natural transition to aircraft and later tanks, motorbikes, armoured cars and lorries from that of horses, which were the main mode of transportation in warfare. Motorcycles were used during the First Works War by soldiers, and aircraft pioneered by brother Orville and Wilbur Wright, revolutionised the very nature of warfare, meaning that shops were used less in combat.
Explain the transition from cavalry to aircraft and tanks
Explain the transition from open warfare to trench warfare
