Micheal Roberts and the Military Revolution

Question 1

What does Roberts propose about the Size of Armies between 1560-1660?

Answer 1

Not only was not only that armies were tending to become permanent; it was also that they were rapidly becoming much larger, especially in the seventeenth century.

Question 2

Regarding the transformation in the scale of war, what does Roberts believe is a result of this increase?

Answer 2

Increased authority of state
Only a state could supply the administrative, technical and economic resources for large scale conflict

Question 3

What does Roberts propose about the types of soilders in the Military Revolution?

Answer 3

Greater military innovations coincided with the predominance of Mercenaries.
However, Swedish armies were made up of conscripted peasants, which was more effective and cheaper.

Question 4

What quotes did Roberts say about the thinking of soilders?

Answer 4

‘He would at least be expected to possess a certain minimal capacity for thinking’, even if it was not their job to think.

Question 5

Describe Linear Formations

Answer 5

Multiplicity of small units arranged into two or three lines, allowed full exploitation of all types of weapon.

Question 6

What does Roberts propose about Noble Obligation during this time?

Answer 6

There was a general decrease in noble obligation.
The nobility found, in the new standing armies, an opportunity to replace their loss of their own military organisation with the impoverished.

Question 7

What does Roberts say about the Modern art of war?

Answer 7

‘By 1660, the modern art of war had come to birth’

Question 8

Who is Roberts’ biggest inspiration for the Military Revolution?

Answer 8

Maurice of Nassau (the Dutch Republic) and Gustav Adolf (Swedish army).

Question 9

What is the main point of criticism from Parrott about the Military Revolution theory?

Answer 9

Rather than emphasising tactical or technological factors, Parrott turned to logistic and political influences when addressing the subject of army growth.
Suggests that the key to westerners success was the states ability to wage war.

Question 10

What is the main point of criticism from Black about the Military Revolution theory?

Answer 10

Major changes to military occurred after 1660, thus absolutism was more a cause of the revolution, not a result.
Series of revolutionary stages: 14th century ‘infantry revolution’, 15th century ‘Artillery revolution’.

Question 11

What is the main point of criticism from Parker about the Military Revolution theory?

Answer 11

Focuses on period between 1530 and 1710
Argues growth in armies came before Maurice of Nassau and Gustav Adolf.
Parker believed the Trace Italienne was important to the military revolution.

Question 12

Describe Roberts’ first stage of military revolution

Answer 12

‘Revolution of Tactics’: development of infantry and cavalry, removal of individualism, importance of standing armies
Argues that one of the first standing armies in Europe was Maurice of Nassau.

Question 13

Describe Roberts’ second stage of military revolution

Answer 13

‘Revolution of Strategy’: more ambitious strategies, training of troops, campaign with several armies.
Argues that Gustav Adolf implemented this in Sweden with improved fire-discipline, and the combination of offensive and gradualistic strategies (to conquer Germany).

Question 14

Describe Roberts’ third stage of military revolution

Answer 14

Increase in scale of warfare, between 1530-1710, there was a ten fold increase in size of armies in Europe.
Notes this was a ‘prodigious increase’ in the scale of war.

Question 15

Describe Parkers’ fourth stage of military revolution

Answer 15

The general impact of war on society; such as the destructiveness, the greater economic challenges and the greater administrative challenges.

Question 16

How does Parker criticise the timing of Roberts thesis?

Answer 16

He argues that whether it was the middle ages one hundred years war or the 17th century Thirty Years war; there was still standing armies, greater professionalism and improved military organisation.

Question 17

Name the quote that Parker says about the origins of modern warfare

Answer 17

‘the character of early modern European warfare, even down to its vocabulary, came direct from Renaissance Italy’.

Question 18

Parkers’ main points about Trace Italienne

Answer 18

This was the development of new techniques of fortification to withhold shelling, in Italy.
It ‘revolutionised the defensive-offensive pattern of Warfare’
Parker agrees with Roberts’ that the generals had not desire to fight, such as Maurice of Nassau

Question 19

What are the extrinsic factors that Parker claims contributed to a growth in military manpower?

Answer 19

One: capable government/state
Two: elementary technological improvements
Three: level of wealth in society
Four: ways of mobilising wealth