Warfare - 1500-1700 Flashcards
How was the use of musket weapons affected in the early modern period?
Why?
Give factors of change.
Muskets had begun to be developed. Matchlock muskets were becoming more common.
This is mainly because it took far less training to use a musket than a longbow. With the growth of towns, it became a lot more difficult to practice archery. Also with more development in gunpowder, firehouse became more powerful.
In the late 1600s flintlocks began to be used. The system was developed instead of a bonding much flint would light the musket. This made it safer and discreet without the match flame in the night.
Technology and society drove this change.
How was the pistol affected?
Aqua buses and muskets were far too heavy and cumbersome to have on horseback so in the mid 1500s pistols were developed.
How was the use of armour affected?
Firearms made lances obsolete, making armour obsolete. By the 1640s few or more than back and breast and a helmet. By 1700, most had no armour at all.
How were tactics affected?
Cavalry riding down musketeers as they were slow to load.
Pikemen could stop a recovery charge but could easily be slaughtered by musketeers or cavalry with pistols.
As a result, general started using both together in ranks.
How was artillery affected in this period?
Give a factor of change.
At 1500 cannons were important in seizures but less so in battles.
Gradually Canons got smaller and lighter and keep up with an army much better. By 1630s cannons played such a high role that they could be decisive in a battle. With their importance growing.
Technology drove this innovation
How was recruitment and training affected?
The Tudors came to power at 1485. They used the militia system similar to what was outlined in the statute of Winchester.
There was a general Master every couple of years when men had to attend to ensure their arms and armour and were trained.
They were fines for not attending.
The monarch pointed Lord lieutenant in each county to run the militia opposed to nobles.
Theory law said malicious cannot be made to serve outside the country unless the country was invaded. If troops were needed to serve overseas the government would force troops. This was called pressing.
How was the size of armies affected?
For the first 150 years of this period army sizes did not change much. In the last 50 years this changed dramatically. This was done so not entire armies had to fight battles.
How was the nature of the army affected?
In the English Civil War, Parliament formed the new model army which ultimately won them the war.
This was a standing arm based on skill. After the Civil War, this inspired the creation of a permanent standing army with the New Model Army remaining.
How are civilians affected during the Civil Wars?
In this war, much better many of the battles were fought on English soil. This is different to our previously voice battles were fought with the Scots or abroad.
As a result peasants faced a lot more damage, raiding and requisitioning.
Free quarter was the system were communities were forced to feed and house troops.
How did musketeers and pikemen working together further develop?
Having the two forces working together was a large problem it was effective but required a lot of training and at times during battle you are wasting troops.
As a result the Bayonet was developed.
First came the plug bay in it first used in 1640. It fitted down the barrel of the musket like a plug. This meant the soldier cannot fire while the band is fitted.
Next came in the ring Bayonet fixed on the outside of the barrel by two rings this meant the soldier could fire when the bayonet was fitted. But unfortunately it was not very secure.
The final solution was the socket band which fitted on the outside of the barrel had a locking system first used in the 1690s.
