Warfare: 1250-present

Question 1

what was the composition of the army (1250-1500)?

Answer 1

armies were made up of infantry and the mounted knight (cavalry).

Question 2

what was the role of mounted knights?
(1250-1500)

Answer 2

-the mounted charge = charging through enemy lines to reach and kill the enemy commander.
-the rout and chase = used to scatter enemy infantry and attack them once they were dispersed.

Question 3

what was the role of the infantry?
(1250-1500)

Answer 3

-hold the enemy attack and then defeat the enemy infantry.
-the shield wall held enemy attacks.
-the melee was where infantry engaged in hand-to-hand fighting with swords, pikes and daggers.

Question 4

what role did lords play on the battlefield? (1250-1500)

Answer 4

Commanders.

Question 5

what role did noblemen and gentry play on the battlefield (1250-1500)?

Answer 5

Knights.

Question 6

what role did the peasants play on the battlefield?
(1250-1500)

Answer 6

Infantry.

Question 7

what happened when the feudal system broke down? (1250-1500)

Answer 7

It became harder to persuade people to fight, so knights paid for soldiers to fight - these men were called mercenaries.

Question 8

what were archers? (1250-1500)

Answer 8

Infantry who used bows or crossbows. They worked with mounted knights to break down the enemy at the beginning of a battle.

Question 9

what were the features of a longbow?
(1250-1500)

Answer 9

-Could fire 15 arrows a minute.
-They had increased power to pierce through chainmail.
-They had an effective range of 200 metres.

Question 10

what were schiltrons? (1250-1500)

Answer 10

A tight formation of infantry gathered together in a square or circle with pikes facing outwards towards the enemy.

Question 11

what were some limitations of the cannon? (1250-1500)

Answer 11

-Heavy and expensive.
-Inaccurate, could only be used against large targets such as walls.
-Short range.
-Unreliable, could set on fire or blow up.
-Slow to reload.
-Trained personnel needed.

Question 12

what were the advantages and improvements to cannon?
(1250-1500)

Answer 12

-Useful in destroying city and castle walls.
-Improvements were made in range and aim.
-Specialist cannons were developed to go over high defensive walls.
-Metal was used for barrels and balls to make them more accurate and effective.

Question 13

why was there a decline in mounted knights?
(1250-1500)

Answer 13

-The longbow was more effective at taking down horses, knights and infantry.
-Schiltron was effective at defeating cavalry.
-Cavalry became more integrated, taking on specialist tasks.

Question 14

What were the changes in recruitment of knights?
(1250-1500)

Answer 14

-The Assize of Arms = a tax on wealth, all men with land had to provide a number of fully equipped knights.
-Mercenaries and scutage = replaced feudal service and the Assize. you could pay scutage rather than serving in battles.
-The Royal Household = permanent troops paid by the king to guard him.

Question 15

what were the changes in recruitment of infantry?
(1250-1500)

Answer 15

-The Statute of Winchester = men between 16 and 60 had to muster once a year and be equipped for 40 days of service.
-Commissioners of Array = assed recruits and weapons across the country.
-Feudal levy and Assize of Arms began to fall away in favour of infantry being paid for service.

Question 16

what were the changes in provisioning?
(1250-1500)

Answer 16

-Requisitioning = crown forced merchants to sell goods to provide ships in order to supply their baggage trains.
-Weapon stores.
-supply depots.
-pillaging = a common last resort in enemy territory.

Question 17

what was the continuity of training?
(1250-1500)

Answer 17

-Assize of arms called for infantry recruits to be skilled with their weapons.
-Mounted knights learned military skills and competed in tournaments, but there was no training to fight in a group.
-Nobility were the military class and kings relied on nobles and close relatives to command their armies.

Question 18

what were the feudal duties - recruitment?
(1250-1500)

Answer 18

-Civilians were forced to fight by the king.
-Civilians increasingly chose to pay money instead of going to war (scutage).
-Fighting meant time away from family.
-Recruits were expected to provide their own equipment and provisions for 40 days.

Question 19

what were the benefits of warfare on civilians?
(1250-1500)

Answer 19

-Pay was better in the army.
-Industry was boosted due to the demand for supplies and weapons.

Question 20

what was plunder?
(1250-1500)

Answer 20

Stealing supplies from communities for the army and it starved the enemy.

Question 21

What was requisitioning?
(1250-1500)

Answer 21

forces brought food and fodder from civilians, they were meant to be paid fairly but they often wasn’t.

Question 22

what was the impact on civilians as a result of requisitioning?
(1250-1500)

Answer 22

-They had less food and supplies for their own use.
-They were out of pocket to the crown.

Question 23

When was the Battle of Falkirk?
(1250-1500)

Answer 23

1298

Question 24

Who was the Battle of Falkirk
between? (1298)

Answer 24

Scottish and English.

Question 25

What was the impact of the longbow at
Falkirk? (1298)

Answer 25

-Edward used 5000 longbows and killed many of the Scottish infantry, who had no armour.
-As gaps appeared in the walls of Scottish pikes, the English cavalry were able to charge the Scottish lines.

Question 26

What good decisions did Edward I make at Falkirk? (1298)

Answer 26

-Supplying troops on campaign by sea.
-Outmanoeuvring Wallace to attack him from flanks.
-Using archers against the Scottish schiltrons.

Question 27

What bad decision did Edward I make at Falkirk? (1298)

Answer 27

-He had little control over his cavalry, but this ultimately was a fortunate thing.

Question 28

What good decisions did Wallace make at Falkirk? (1298)

Answer 28

-Use of schiltrons.
-Positioning his forces on a slope. with his rear protected by woods.

Question 29

What bad decisions did Wallace make at Falkirk? (1298)

Answer 29

-Failing to protect his flanks.
-Deciding to fight with inferior numbers.
-Not controlling his nobles, who deserted.
-Not using his remaining cavalry and archers.

Question 30

when was the Battle of Agincourt?
(1250-1500)

Answer 30

1415

Question 31

who was the Battle of Agincourt between? (1415)

Answer 31

English and French

Question 32

what was good about Henry’s choice of battleground at Agincourt? (1415)

Answer 32

-Army was placed at the narrowest point of the battlefield.
-Heavy, wet clay farmland separated the two forces.
-Flanks were protected by woods.
-English archers used the shelter of the woods to fire at the French and provoke a reckless counterattack.

Question 33

what was the role of cavalry and archers at Agincourt? (1415)

Answer 33

1. English longbow men fired into French cavalry.
2. French cavalry tried to retreat but met their own advancing infantry.
3. French infantry were exhausted after struggling through thick mud.
4. English knights fought on foot, holding the centre. Archers joined from the flanks with swords and daggers.
5. The English advanced and the French were forced to retreat.

Question 34

what good decisions did Henry V make at Agincourt (1415)

Answer 34

-He was brave and fought alongside his men.
-He chose an excellent defensive position.
-He made his cavalry fight on foot, forming a solid centre to support infantry.

Question 35

what bad decisions did Henry V make at Agincourt (1415)?

Answer 35

-His march across France weakened his army.
-He was trapped and forced to fight.

Question 36

What were the changes in the composition of the army? (1500-1700)

Answer 36

-Armies still included cavalry, infantry and artillery.
-change arose as training was needed for new weapons such as muskets and cannon
- armies became more professional.
-Artillery trains slowly increased in size and importance.
-field artillery improved.

Question 37

What changed in cavalry’s battlefield roles?
(1500-1700)

Answer 37

-Continued as a specialist role but was no longer the decisive force.
-Harassed the enemy with pistols and skirmished the enemy with cavalry.
-Dragoons (mounted infantry) took on the role of mounted archer.

Question 38

What changed in infantry’s
battlefield roles
(1500-1700)

Answer 38

-Became dominant as a result of new weapons and tactics.
-Musketeers gradually replaced archers.
-Armoured pikemen increasingly fought in large, disciplined squares or columns.

Question 39

What was the standing army?
(1500-1700)

Answer 39

A permanent force of full time professional soldiers.

Question 40

What were the strategy and tactics used?
(1500-1700)

Answer 40

-Pikemen could stop a cavalry charge but were easy targets.
-Pikemen and musketeers had to act together to be effective.
-It took a lot of training to change formations.

Question 41

What did Oliver Cromwell do?
(1500-1700)

Answer 41

-Was key in setting up the New Model Army and became head of its cavalry.
-He emphasised the importance of ability over social status.

Question 42

What did muskets begin to replace?

Answer 42

The longbow.

Question 43

What was the wheel-lock pistol?
(1500-1700)

Answer 43

-A smaller firearm suitable for use by the cavalry.

Question 44

What were the disadvantages to the flintlock musket?
(1500-1700)

Answer 44

-Dangerous near gunpowder due to the expose flame.
-Unreliable as rain would put the match out.
-Visible at night due to the exposed glow.

Question 45

Why was the rising power of the cannon weakened?
(1500-1700)

Answer 45

-New engineering methods led to stronger defensive walls as protection.
-New style defences.
-Low, thick earth walls met the blows from cannon without shattering.
-Walls were angled so that balls would bounce off them.
-Bastions provided defensive positions for the return of cannon fire.

Question 46

What was the continuity in recruitment?
(1500-1700)

Answer 46

-All men aged 16-60 had to serve in their local area. they were pressed.
-Men provided their own weapons and general musters were held for inspection and training.
-The king appointed Lords Lieutenant to command each country’s militia.

Question 47

What were the changes in training?
(1500-1700)

Answer 47

-New weapons and tactics meant that discipline and training was required.
-Musketeers had to learn how to work together with pikemen.

Question 48

What was the New
Model Army?
(1500-1700)

Answer 48

A nation volunteer army, with regular pay that allowed successful soldiers to be promoted to command positions.

Question 49

What happened to cavalry in terms of the New Model Army? (1500-1700)

Answer 49

-6600 cavalry were raised from existing forces.
-Received 24p a day but had to provide for themselves.
-1000 dragoons were also raised from existing forces.

Question 50

What happened to infantry in terms of the New Model Army? (1500-1700)

Answer 50

-14,400 infantrymen were raised, half from existing forces, half pressed.
-Received 8p a day.
-Desertion rates were high so men were pressed

Question 51

What was free quarter?

Answer 51

Armies forced communities to feed and house troops.

Question 52

When was the Battle of Naseby?
(1500-1700)

Answer 52

1645

Question 53

Who was the Battle of Naseby between? (1645)

Answer 53

Royalist troops and Parliamentarian troops.

Question 54

What good decision did Fairfax make at Naseby (1645)

Answer 54

-He was an inspirational general who fought alongside his men.
-He led the infantry in the counterattack.

Question 55

What good decision did Cromwell make at Naseby? (1645)

Answer 55

-Believed NMA (New Model Army) officers should be the best soldiers. he recruited and trained the best cavalry in the war.

Question 56

What was the role of training and tactics at Naseby?
(1645)

Answer 56

1. NMA advance over the ridge to engage the Royalists as the climb the slope.
2. Royalist cavalry drive off they foes but loose discipline and raid the baggage trains for plunder.
3. NMA infantry hold the centre, their frontline breaks.
4. NMA cavalry drivee off their foes but Cromwell keeps them under control.
5. Cromwell’s cavalry attack the flanks and rear of Royalist infantry, the Royalists breaks.
6. Cromwells cavalry pursues the remaining Royalist cavalry, destroying them.

Question 57

What was the continuity of the composition of the army? (1700-1900)

Answer 57

-A permanent standing army of 50 000 men.
-The decline of cavalry continued, now only 20 per cent of the army.
-Artillery continued to form about 5 per cent.

Question 58

What was the change of the composition of the army? (1700-1900)

Answer 58

-The growth of the British Empire meant that soldiers were needed: numbers reached 250 000 by 1899.
-Governments were more involved in organising army size and finances, both of which rose dramatically.

Question 59

what was the specialisation and professionalization of the army by 1900? (1700-1900)

Answer 59

-Command structures more clearly defined.
-Wore camouflaged uniforms.
-Transported to battle in steamships or trains.
-New weapons such as rifles and machine guns led to specialised roles within the infantry.
-Long distance artillery and light field artillery bombarded the enemy.

Question 60

What was the continuity of roles on the battlefield?
(1700-1900)

Answer 60

-Cavalry = harassed the enemy but new weapons such as rifles and machine guns left them vulnerable.

-Infantry = still the decisive factor in battle.

Question 61

What was the continuity in tactics on the battlefield?
(1700-1900)

Answer 61

-Cavalry = officers were determined to keep traditional cavalry forces.
-Infantry = still fought in lines, columns and squares.
-Infantry = loading times improved.
-Infantry = still sent to face overwhelming firepower, generals refused to accept changing situations.

Question 62

What was the change in light field artillery guns?
(1700-1900)

Answer 62

-Thinner and lighter cannon barrels.
-Bronze made cannon even lighter.
-Horse-drawn field guns could be used to transport quickly.
-Designed so that they recoiled.

Question 63

What was the change in heavy artillery?
(1700-1900)

Answer 63

-Steel cannon were stronger than bronze.
-Breech-loading cannon was 5 times faster.
-Riffled barrels increased the range to 5km.
-Percussion shells were filled with chemicals that exploded the shell.
-Smokeless powder stopped revealing position.

Question 64

What factors affected changes in weaponry?
(1700-1900)

Answer 64

-Spiralling change.
-Social attitudes.
-Political attitudes.
-Individuals.
-Industrialisation.

Question 65

what were the features of steam trains? (1700-1900)

Answer 65

-Enabled troops to move faster than they could on foot.
-Supplies could be moved faster.

Question 66

what were the features of steamships?
(1700-1900)

Answer 66

-Had screw propellers which sailed twice as fast.
-Requisitioned steamships took less than 3 weeks to ship men and supplies to the Crimea.

Question 67

What were the problems with recruitment?
(1700-1900)

Answer 67

-The quality of officers were unreliable because it was linked to social status rather than merit.
-The arm still found it difficult to recruit men and keep then disciplined.

Question 68

What methods of recruitment were used? (1700-1900)

Answer 68

-Colonels regiments = officers were paid to set up and equip new regiments.
-1757 Militia Act = an overhaul of the assize of arms, men aged 18-50 were selected to serve in the local militia for 5 years.

Question 69

Why did armies become more professional?
(1700-1900)

Answer 69

-The 1870 Army Act.
-Cardwell’s reforms
-Lower ranks enlisted for 12 years.
-Reserves were paid a daily rate and retrained each year.
-After 12 years soldiers could resign or sign up or another 12 years.

Question 70

What was the impact of newspaper reporting?
(1700-1900)

Answer 70

-Public attitudes changed because they got a real insight into wars.
-Press inspired the public to make a contribution.
-The Times raised money for sick and wounded solders.

Question 71

When was the Battle of Waterloo?

Answer 71

1815

Question 72

When was the Battle Of Balaclava?

Answer 72

1854

Question 73

How did the choice and use of battleground affect the Battle of Waterloo for Wellington?

Answer 73

• Wellington chose a good defensive position.
• The battlefield was good for defence as it was only about three miles across.
• He deployed his men behind a ridge to reduce the damage done by enemy artillery.
• He set up two positions on the flanks of the ridge to interrupt the French attack.
• He concealed field artillery in the village of Papelotte on one flank.

Question 74

What tactics were used in the battle of waterloo?

Answer 74

1. Napoleon attacked with infantry columns, cavalry charges and heavy artillery. The columns were 200 men wide, and could punch through lines, but lacked firepower and were big targets.
2. Wellington used 20 infantry squares each 60 metres across, with muskets and bayonets to hold back the French cavalry. The field artillery and the wounded were protected inside the squares.
3. Wellington then sent in the cavalry and infantry in lines, firing devastating volleys.

Question 75

What was the charge of the light brigade?

Answer 75

The ‘Charge of the Light Brigade’ at Balaclava, 1854, was a miscommunication that led to many deaths. It showed the vulnerability of the cavalry when faced with defensive firepower.

Question 76

What tactics, weapons and supplies were used in the battle of balaclava (1854)?

Answer 76

• The 93rd Highlanders under Sir Colin Campbell, using Minié rifles, held a defensive position against an attacking force of Russian cavalry.
• The soldiers, in two-deep lines in their red tunics, formed a ‘thin red streak, tipped with steel’, outnumbered four to one.
• Their devastating volleys drove off the cavalry.
The Heavy Brigade then moved in and defeated a large force of Russian cavalry.
• The use of old methods, like a cavalry charge, against a defensive line of infantry armed with the latest rifles led to a huge loss of life.
• The power of defence became a central characteristic of warfare in this period.

Question 77

How did the charge of the light brigade occur?

Answer 77

• Later in the battle, the Russians began to remove the allied cannon they had captured on the ridge.
• Lord Raglan ordered Lord Lucan to recapture the cannon, but the orders were vague and poorly explained. In the confusion, Lucan thought he was being asked to attack the Russian cannons.
• Despite the uncertainty, Lucan ordered Lord Cardigan’s Light Brigade to charge the Russian cannon.
• Out of 673 men in the Light Brigade, 113 were killed, 134 wounded and most of the horses had to be destroyed, for no gain.

Question 78

What are some Causes for the Acceleration in change after 1850

Answer 78

• Bessemer process - led to the mass production of steel at a lower cost
• Maxim machine guns/Wilkinson light field gun - faster, more manoeuvrable
• Prussia’s military growth (1870s)

Question 79

New methods of communication during the Modern Era

Answer 79

• wireless radio
• portable field telephone
• RADAR (1930s)
• Internet
• GPS

Question 80

New methods of transportation
during the Modern Era

Answer 80

• Motor vehicles
• helicopters
• sea transport
• railways
• Royal Army Service Corps (feed and supply soldiers)

Question 81

What are some Changes to the Nature of Warfare during the Modern Era

Answer 81

• Infantry dropped by 40%
• smaller armies
• specialisation increased by 50%
• less focus on defence
• remote warfare
• tanks replace cavalry
• body armour
• guns mounted on tanks and helicopters

Question 82

The Iraq War (2003): How were the allies Preparing the Battlefield?

Answer 82

2 days of weakening Iraqi defences with F-117 stealth bombers, 40 Tomahawk missiles at military bases, seizing port, airport, and oil terminals

Question 83

The Iraq War (2003): what was the Air Attacks (March - April)

Answer 83

• daily bombings
• 30,000 used
• 70% were ‘smart’ weapons
• which could be guided by GPS, such Paveway bombs and Storm Shadow guided missiles

Question 84

The Iraq War (2003): what was the Ground Attack? (21st March - 11th April)

Answer 84

• 200,000 troops: supported by aircraft, Challenger tanks defeated the older T-55s, which had insufficient armour.
• Basra was captured on 6th April, and by the end of April Iraqi forces had been defeated

Question 85

The Iraq War (2003): Why was the invasion successful?

Answer 85

• US/UK had better weapons
• used SATNET 4 to intercept Iraqi communications
• had better technology in general
• The US spent $50 billion in 2003, UK spent £1 billion/year