Change And Continuity 1700-1850

Question 1

What changed from the early modern period?

Answer 1

• Cavalry became less effective because of improved firearms.
• Artillery was improved due to technological advancements making them more effective and lighter. Used more in battle.

Question 2

What stayed the same in the army

Answer 2

• Size of army remained average 50,000
• Infantry remained dominant, cavalry declined and artillery was used more.
• Weaponry, Brown Bess musket used for 130 years.

Question 3

Why was there still limited warfare?

Answer 3

• Rulers preferred limited campaigns because they didn’t want to die in battle and end their dynasty.
• Muskets and artillery caused huge casualties, couldn’t afford those losses.
• Slow communication made long wars hard to manage.
• Britain had a small army because it used the navy and allies for protection.

Question 4

How did tactics change in the infantry?

Answer 4

• Musketeers used longer two men deep lines because reloading speed had improved.
• Rhythmic marching, infantry moved around quicker.
• Infantry used lines to attack and squares to defend against cavalry.

Question 5

How did tactics change with artillery?

Answer 5

• They sat in front of the infantry to defend the lines.
• They could withdraw to safety inside infantry squares.
• They moved to high ground to bombard the enemy.

Question 6

How did tactics change in the cavalry?

Answer 6

• Decline because they were weak against muskets.

- Cavalry moved quickly around battlefields for scouting and harassing the enemy. Skirmished with opposite cavalry.

Question 7

What factors slowed the speed of change?

Answer 7

• Social attitudes, a small army was less scary and meant less taxes.
• Political attitudes, the french revolution showed how change could threaten power and were scared because of this.
• Individuals such as wellington resisted change to the army.
• The industrial revolution had only just started, change was yet to come.