Military Revolution

Question 1

When does Jeremy Black argue the revolution took place?

Answer 1

Largely a product of the later 17th century - 1660-1710

Question 2

Does Jeremy Black challenge the concept of a revolution?

Answer 2

NO, just places it in a later timeframe

Question 3

What does Black believe in terms of state development?

Answer 3

That changes in the military are a result of state development not a state derminant

Question 4

Which powers are neglected according to Black?

Answer 4

Those not in the West

Question 5

Who does Black argue gained from military expansion?

Answer 5

Private mercenaries - armies could be hired rather than relying on the state’s armies

Question 6

Jeremy Black believes growth encouraged what?

Answer 6

Fragmentation rather than centralisation

Question 7

Who supports the ideas of Jeremy Black and what timeframe do they suggest?

Answer 7

David Eltis who suggests the early sixteenth century

Question 8

What does John A Lynn argue happened to the size of armies?

Answer 8

That they either declined or stayed roughly the same in relation to population growth

Question 9

What does Adams argue caused growth?

Answer 9

The need to man garrisons - supported by the fact there are disparities between numbers on the battlefield and the size of armies

Question 10

Where does Adams argue territory occupation came from?

Answer 10

Expansionist ideas

Question 11

Adams argues armies were funded by what?

Answer 11

Private enterprise- heavy taxes in money and kind were extracted from occupied territories under the threat of military action

Question 12

Lynn quotes that the bourbon dynasty created what?

Answer 12

“A monster they could not control”

Question 13

What was the relationship between the bourbon dynasty and it’s army? What did this mean for soldiers?

Answer 13

They could not provide enough foodstuffs and equipment to adequately supply the army and so soldiers turned to illegal means to bridge the gap between demand and supply.

Question 14

What did the French do in response to soldiers misdeeds?

Answer 14

Reorder themselves and so it is military development that inspired state development

Question 15

What is the “tax of violence” and which historian speaks about it?

Answer 15

John A Lynn: the “tax of violence” involved the French army pillaging from their own people during etapes (stops to refuel) and during quartering (when the army boarded with the occupied town). During this time they would pillage, rape, steal and take people and objects for ransom in order gain enough money or equipment. Lynn argues this was done out of their own misery as they had no other means of survival.
“hungry, unpaid soldiers turned ugly”
It was soon known that pillaging meant pay and it became policy within the army

Question 16

What was the governments response to the “tax of violence”?

Answer 16

Louis XIV (the Sun King)- carried out substantial administrative and disciplinary reform in order to end the pillaging of his subjects by his own army. From the late 1670s, disciplinary actions towards the abuse of etapes and quartering ordinances were taken very seriously. Minor infractions i.e., petty theft and minor violence were also taken seriously.

Question 17

What was restitution?

Answer 17

French troops could be called upon to pay compensation to victims of the “tax of violence” which significantly deterred pillaging.

Question 18

What did Louis XIV do to officers that was previously unheard of?

Answer 18

Previously officers stood by whilst their men pillaged and rampaged. Now, officers were held accountable for the actions of their men and could face disciplinary action too.

Question 19

What is an example of increased French disciplinary action?

Answer 19

Marshal Luxembourg hung several of his own soldiers on the spot for pillaging after receiving a warning from the king.

Question 20

How does David Parrott account for the success of the military revolution among historians?

Answer 20

He blames selective evidence- focusing on the success of Sweden whilst ignoring battles like those of Nordlingen. Yes, the Swedes did achieve success but it was mostly equal. We cannot be ignorant of French and Spanish victories during this period

Question 21

David Parott believes expansion did what for European war?

Answer 21

Put it in a new context

Question 22

Why does David Parrott believe armies grew in size?

Answer 22

In order to repay expenses - the larger the army, the larger the territory they could occupy and therefore they occupy more money-yielding areas

Question 23

What does David Parrott believe military expansion led to?

Answer 23

The development of private contracting - it was only in the later 17th century when they had the meas to do so, that governments began to take back control - this was a reaction to military development rather than following a predetermined path

Question 24

What does Geoffrey Parker question about Michael Roberts’ argument?

Answer 24

He questions whether the great changes that took place during this period was monopolized by self-consciously progressive states.
Generally, he believes these changes were evolutionary and universal rather than the work of a few “great men”.

Question 25

Which country does Parker advocate for?

Answer 25

Spain - previously made redundant by fellow historians, Parker argues that the Spanish made great developments in administration and tactics. He highlights that they among the first to use battalions which were later copied by the French

Question 26

Does Parker criticise Roberts’ timeline?

Answer 26

Yes - argues it is too short and confined. Instead, he suggests these changes were very gradual, beginning in 1450 and ending at the beginning of the 19th century

Question 27

Who does Parker note the importance of?

Answer 27

Army veterans who honed traditional tactics to perfection and deployed them with confidence

Question 28

What areas of the army does Parker suggest remained weak?

Answer 28

Logistics - he argues that armies were consistently ill-supplied and armies were susceptible to disease and epidemics which hindered progress

Question 29

What does Park attribute increasing size to?

Answer 29

Parker argues that developments in military geography stimulated army growth. The growth in size and complexity of forts, such as Fort Bourtange in the Netherlands, meant they required more men to man and also to attack. These forts inspired more trench-style and earth-based tactics. This period also saw an increase in sieges which required more soldiers

Question 30

When does Michael Roberts argue the military revolution took place?

Answer 30

1560-1660

Question 31

What were the previous military tactics of the period?

Answer 31

• Infantry moved in blocks 40-60 men deep very slowly. Pikemen at the centre surrounded by musketeers. Very vulnerable to attack and often ended in stalemate
• Cavalry could do little but pester the infantry without doing much damage, they were of high status

Question 32

What were the new military tactics that came into place?

Answer 32

-Infantry now marched in shallower, linear formations with greater fire power.
These were highly-drilled which made firing more efficient
Smaller, more numerous units deployed with reserves gave commanders more tactical freedom
Lighter mobile artillery used in conjunction with the infantry
-Caracole of the cavalry dissolved in favour of a charge. Now armed with the sabre. They lost status and were relegated in terms of military power
-Cavalry split into light and heavy
-Most armies now consisted of artillery, infantry and cavalry rather than meshed into one.
-Engineering differed from artillery after the Seven years’ War

Question 33

The improvement of fire arms caused what?

Answer 33

Armour to be discarded

Question 34

When was the bayonet invented?

Answer 34

About 1670, causing pikes to be discarded and homogeneous infantry

Question 35

What does Roberts see as an initial setback to the revolutoin?

Answer 35

The demise of longbows in favour of gunpowder weapons as they were more accurate and could fire more frequently. Their range and aim was also far more extensive. There was less offensive capacity as gunmen needed protection too. However, it was quicker to train a gunman than a bowman.

Question 36

Did French and Swedish armies grow in this period

Answer 36

Yes:
France - 1550: 50,000 1700: 400,000
Sweden: 1590: 15,000 1700: 100,000

Question 37

Which army is an exception to the growth seen in this period?

Answer 37

Spain:
1550: 150,000 1650: 300,000 1700: 50,000

Question 38

How does Roberts account for the increasing size of armies?

Answer 38

By suggesting that as offensives were now more likely to succeed, leaders were inclined to force others into battle for political gain. They therefore demanded, and required, more soldiers

Question 39

What does Roberts say growing armies require?

Answer 39

Greater organisation which he says was achieved through centralisation.

Question 40

How did the state centralize army control?

Answer 40

• state took direct control of the recruitment, organisation and supply of troops
• more extensive and accountable administration with which to do this
• armies integrated further into public life or excluded totally
• armies maintained on a permanent rather than seasonal basis
• unprecedented financial resources in order for the government to fund expenditure - characteristic of the modern state

Question 41

Who is Prince Maurice of Nassau?

Answer 41

Responsible for the Dutch system. 1590-1609. Aimed to improve the rate of fire and achieve rolling fire. Discipline and drilling becomes important due to the haphazard nature of the offensive which is a preconditioning for warfare. Operated 8-10 ranks at a time.

Question 42

Who is Gustavus Adolphus?

Answer 42

Developed the Swedish system. Standardises the army: pay, uniform, training etc. Professionalises the army so that he needs only half the depth of men to prodce the same fire power as a non-standardized army. Utlises the checkerboard formation but this requires huge amounts of time and money. 175,000 men under his command. Produced the first easily maneuverable light artillery.

Question 43

What other aspects of the army improved according to Roberts?

Answer 43

Standardization of pay, uniforms and training.

Also witnessed a rise in meritocracy.