Changes 1700 - 1900

Question 1

Weapons - 1700

Answer 1

Artillery was used much more in battles
Flintlock musket used by infantry in 1700
Cavalry generally armed with swords and pistols
Muskets also had bayonets attached by the 1600s – meant that pikes were no longer necessary.

Question 2

Continuity of Weapons 1700 - 1900

Answer 2

Artillery continued to be a key weapon throughout the period
Flintlock introduced called the brown bess in 1715
Cavalry had similar weapons throughout 1700s
Brown Bess continued to be fitted with a bayonet for close combat

Question 3

Change in weaponry 1700 - 1900

Answer 3

Up to 1850
Industrial revolution meant that new techniques were deployed to make lighter field artillery
Minie bullets and rifles from 1840s

After 1850 – improvements in science, technology and industry caused many changes:

Improved cannon – steel, breech loading, rifled barrels, recoiling barrels, percussion shells by 1900, smokeless powder by 1890s
Rifles – percussion bullets, breech-loading, magazines of bullets improved

Question 4

Tactics and strategy - 1700

Answer 4

Infantry tactics using musketeers and pikemen together
Musketeers and pikemen used in lines/squares
From 1640s, Cavalry used as ‘shock troops’ again

Question 5

Continuity of tactics and strategy 1700 - 1900

Answer 5

Infantry remained the dominant force on the battlefield
Limited warfare remained the norm 1700-1850
Raids, skirmishes and sieges more common than battles

Question 5

Change in tactics and strategy 1700 - 1900

Answer 5

Improvement in musket fire and marching made infantry manoeuvres more rapid
Artillery could also be moved quicker
Improvements in weapons greatly increased the power of defence. Cavalry charges and infantry lines became even more dangerous.
Role of cavalry diminished further

Question 5

Composition and command of armies - 1700

Answer 5

Ratio of Cavalry to infantry changed all the time
Most generals wanted 2:1 (Infantry:cavalry)
Successful soldiers given the command of the New Model Army during the Civil War – Cromwell, Fairfax

Question 5

Continuity of Composition and command of armies 1700 - 1900

Answer 5

Infantry still dominant force
Cavalry still valued highly despite decline in effectiveness
Officer class still dominated by upper classes who bought their commissions.

Question 6

Changes in composition and command of armies 1700 - 1900

Answer 6

Standing army of approx.500,000 men during this period.
Cavalry about 20% of army.
After 1850 – growth of army accelerated in late 1800s due to growth in the Empire.
Cardwell reforms - commission was now earned on merit