Medieval Warfare 1700-1900 Flashcards
Nature of warfare in 1200s
*Size of armies were usually around 5,000 - 10,000
*Command of armies was usually based on social position rather than ability or experience
*Cavalrymen wore armour (chainmail garmets)
Tactics/Strategy of armies in the 1200s
*Battles were a last resort (Limited Warfare)
*Castles and fortified towns essential parts of strategy.
What was the feudal system
The feudal system was a way to recruit troops. It was sometimes difficult to enforce which resulted in utilising different recruitment strategies
Recruitment of armies in the 1200s
Recruitment via Feudal System
Wealthy men had to provide the king with military support
Many pair scutage (shield money) instead of providing militsry service
Experience of civilians from armies in 1200s
Suffered threat of plunder from armies
Armies stole resources (looted) from the public
Feudal system and Assize of arms forced men to fight
What was new about the new model army
- Commanded Cavalry
- Well recruited and well trained men
- Chose men on merit and not eocial position
Why was limited warfare still a thing between 1700s-1850s
Rulers didn’t want to die or lose their thrones
Heavy losses couldn’t be afforded
Transport & communications were slow
What was the feudal system
The feudal system was used to provide troops
It was difficult to enforce so different strategies had to be enforced
Training and provision. (Experience of warfare 1250)
Little to no training as most soldiers were expected to be skilled with weapons
How did training & composition of the army change
85,000 regular army with RAF
150,000 with Navy
Troops need 4 years of experience
Recruitment generally improved
Reasons why civilians became afraid of war
- Very few journalists reporting in WW1
- Levels of censorship & propaganda in the news. In recent years new tech and spreading of news have reduced that.
- People afraid of costs of war
Incidental benefits of war
Women - experiences of war helped change attitudes of women in war
Medicine had to be improved
Social reforms - WW2 promoted government to improve housing, education & create the NHS
What is War of attrition
A prolonged period of conflict during WW2 when each seeked to gradually wear down the enemy
Impact of medieval warfare
- MAD curbed usage of nuclear weapons to reduce conflict
- USA dropped Atom bomb in Hiroshima 1945
- USSR made own soviet bomb im 1949
What was MAD and the aims of it
Mutually assured destructiom
