warfare through time Flashcards
What was the weapons situation like in 1250
Cavalrymen fought on horseback – lances and spears
Infantry – swords, daggers, battle axes,halberds,brown bills, pikes. Some had bows and crossbows.
Chainmail hauberks and coifs for protection
What was the continuity of weapons like in 1250-1500
Weapons used in hand-to-hand fighting
(e.g. swords, axes etc.) had not changed
that much by 1500
Despite development of cannon and
firearms, they were still not the dominant
force in warfare (short range, unreliable,
heavy to transport)
What was the change of weapons like in 1250-1500
Pikes used differently (Schiltrons)
Longbows (much more power, higher rate of
fire, further range) became the dominant
force on the Battlefield (e.g. Agincourt)
Plate armour replaced chainmail although
not very effective defence against Longbow
Cannon developed across the period but not
used extensively
Firearms (e.g. Hackbut) were developed but
not really used widely before 1500
What was the tactics and strategy situation like in 1250
Only Limited warfare was possible
Castles and fortified towns essential
parts of strategy.
Cavalry – mounted charges, rout and
chase
Infantry – shield wall, archers, melee
What was the continuity of Tactics and
strategy like in 1250-1500
Limited warfare continued e.g. 100 Years
War (1337-1453).
Capturing and building castles continued
Cavalry charges, melees still key tactics
seen in battles
What was the change of Tactics and strategy like in 1250-1500
New uses of pikes - Schiltrons (up to 2000 pikemen) used for defence and attack (eg Falkirk) increased power of the infantry and decline in mounted knight
Archers tended to travel on horseback so the whole army could move quicker
Archers used much more effectively in
defence – placed on flanks to weaken enemy charges
Cavalry now used as a more integrated part of the army, rather than an elite strike force acting alone.
Cavalry was a smaller, more socially different and more flexible force by 1500
What was the Composition and Command of Armies
situation like in 1250
5,000-10,000 men
Infantry (common men) and Cavalry (nobility)
Command linked to social position
What was the continuity of Composition and Command of Armies like in 1250-1500
Size of armies stayed similar (e.g. Battle of Lewes 1264 10,000, Battle of Bosworth 1485 12,000)
Command of armies still connected to status in society (e.g. King’s relatives or leading Nobles)
What was the change of Composition and Command of Armies like in 1250-1500
Change in tactics and weapons (e.g. schiltrons and Longbows) meant less reliance on cavalry
Number of cavalry was less by 1500 (ratio of infantry:cavalry now 3:1 rather than 2:1)
As the feudal system declined, less cavalry were from the nobility
More mercenaries used as men-at-arms
What was the Recruitment situation like in 1250
Recruitment via feudal system – most troops in 1250 were feudal knights. Assize of Arms also used. Like a form of taxation – wealthy men had to provide the king with military support Attitudes were changing and many
paid scutage or shield money instead of providing military service. The king often used this money to pay for mercenaries
What was the continuity of Recruitment like in 1250-1500
Feudal troops still used up to 1350
Assize of Arms still in use by 1500
Mercenaries still used widely
What was the change of Recruitment like in 1250-1500
Change in society (e.g. breakdown of feudal
system) meant that recruitment changed
Assize of Arms not very reliable
Payment of troops became more common
after 1300s
Many more soldiers within Royal Household
by 1500
What was the training situation like in 1250
No permanent armies or barracks so very little training Anyone answering to an Assize of Arms was assumed to be competent in using weapons anyway For cavalry, most young men were trained in military skills and
horsemanship Men competed in tournaments and much was based around the culture of chivalry. Mostly based around the idea of individual combat rather than fighting in large disciplined groups.
What was the continuity of training like in 1250-1500
No major changes – command, organisation and training of troops remained very simple.
Knights still practised combat at tournaments
What was the change of training like in 1250-1500
Kings insisted on archery targets and practice in towns
Paid troops tended to be better trained – as the king was paying directly for them inspections of weapons and equipment more
common
What was the Provisions situation like in 1250
Men were expected to bring their own provisions for first 40 days
Baggage trains sometimes followed the armies
Supply depots sent ahead occasionally Often armies resorted to demanding supplies from locals by either paying for it or stealing what they needed in enemy territory
What was the continuity of provistions like in 1250-1500
Armies still often resorted to demanding supplies from locals by either paying for it or stealing what they needed in enemy territory
Baggage trains still used (often targeted by enemy as this could lead to starvation of army)
What was the change of provisions like in 1250-1500
Became more important because:
There were more wars
Armies used more horses so needed more fodder
More weapons (e.g. men needed to be supplied with arrows)
Royal Armoury based in Tower of London provided arrows etc.
Officially ‘purveyance’ was introduced that should have given a fair price for supplies
What was the experience of civilians situation like in 1250
Suffered threat of plunder from armies.
In home territory, armies might pay locals for supplies but in enemy territory, armies normally stole it
Feudal system and Assize of Arms for recruitment forced men to fight
Civilians joining the army could get good wages
Demand for wartime goods (weapons, armour, clothing) helped industries and citizens benefitted from good, secure wages
What was the continuity of experience of civilians like in 1250-1500
Plunder/destruction of property still a problem.
Requisitioning food often impacted civilians
Feudal system up to 1300s and then Assize of Arms still forced men to fight
Sieges of fortified towns continued to impact civilians living within them.
What was the change of Experience of civilians
like in 1250-1500
Cost of war began to impact on civilians more (tax)
More wars in this period lead to more raids that created fear and panic amongst civilians
Why did falkirk 1298 happen
Part of Scottish Uprising - William Wallace rebellion against Edward I’s English
What was the significance
Scottish use of schiltrons very effective against English cavalry
Edward’s use of Longbows proved to be the turning point in the battle
Why did the Agincourt 1415 happen
Hundred Years War – Henry V of England tried to capture land in Northern France
What was the significance of Agincourt 1415
Showed the dominance of the Longbow by the 15th Century
French relied too much on cavalry
Sieges also important in lead up to battle (Harfleur)
Henry V’s military leadership – positioning of archers/men-at-arms
What was the weapons situation like in 1500
Pikes used differently (Schiltrons)
Longbows (much more power, higher rate of fire, further range) became the dominant force on the Battlefield (e.g.
Agincourt)
Plate armour replaced chainmail although not very effective defence against Longbow
Cannon developed across the period but not used extensively – useful in seiges
Firearms (e.g. Hackbut) were developed but not really used widely
before 1500
What was the continuity of weapons like in 1500-1750
Pikes still used extensively in 1500s
Longbows still used in early 1500s
Plate armour still used in 1500s
What was the change of weapons like in 1500-1750
Artillery was used much more in battles – guns were much lighter and easier to transport. Also cannon were more reliable by 1750
1500s - English wanted to copy Swiss Pikemen (armoured helmets and back and breast plates)
1500s - Infantry units gradually became a mixture of pikemen and musketeers
Hackbut replaced by matchlock musket by 1550s. Flintlock musket gradually replaced matchlock by 1700
Gradual trend from longbows to muskets in the 1500s due to changes in society (e.g. changes in farming, growth of towns meant that men had less time to practice archery)
Cavalry armed with swords and pistols (mounted infantry – Dragoons)
Armour gradually abandoned by 1700
Muskets also had bayonets attached by the 1600s which made them more useful in hand to hand combat – meant that pikes were no longer necessary
What was the Tactics and strategy situation like in 1500
New uses of pikes - Schiltrons (up to 2000 pikemen) used for defence and attack (eg Bannockburn)
increased power of the infantry and decline in mounted knight
Archers used much more effectively in defence – placed on flanks to weaken enemy charges
Cavalry now used as a more integrated part of the army,
What was the continuity of Tactics and strategy
like in 1500-1750
Cavalry and infantry still used in combination throughout the period
What was the change of Tactics and strategy
like in 1500-1750
From 1530s onwards, new fortifications were built to withstand cannon fire (thick, low walls, bastions, angled to deflect cannon fire)
Development of infantry tactics using musketeers and pikemen together. (e.g in Civil War)
Musketeers in line in front of pikemen at the start of battle to fire freely but if attacked they would form a square with the pikemen
outside to provide protection from cavalry
From 1540s, Cavalry were used to ride close to the enemy and fire pistols. From 1640s, they were used as ‘shock troops’ again
What was the Composition and Command of Armies situation like in 1500
Change in tactics and weapons (e.g. schiltrons and Longbows) meant less reliance on cavalry
Number of cavalry was less by 1500 (ratio of infantry:cavalry now 3:1 rather than 2:1)
As the feudal system declined, less cavalry were from the nobility
What was the continuity of Composition and Command of Armies like in 1500-1750
Armies continued to be a mix of cavalry, infantry and artillery
Most generals were still from higher classes, particularly on Royalist side during the Civil war
What was the change of Composition and Command
of Armies like in 1500-1750
Ratio of Cavalry to infantry changed all the time but with no particular pattern.
Most generals wanted 2:1 (Infantry:cavalry) but this did not always happen.
Successful soldiers given the command of the New Model Army during the Civil War – Cromwell, Fairfax
Officers in NMA were given positions on merit, not because of social class
What was the Recruitment situation like in 1500
Change in society (e.g. breakdown of feudal system) meant that recruitment changed from medieval period
Assize of Arms not very reliable
Payment of troops became more common after 1300s
Many more soldiers within Royal Household by 1500
What was the continuity of Recruitment like in 1500-1750
Militia system used in Tudor period (non-professional soldiers who can be called upon in time of need)
Organised by Lord Lieutenants, with general musters every couple of years
(Similar to the Assize of Arms)
What was the change of Recruitment like in 1500-1750
Soon became apparent that system wasn’t effective
More men ‘pressed’ or forced to serve as the period went on
What was the training situation like in 1500
Kings insisted on archery targets and practice in towns
Paid troops tended to be better trained – as the king was paying
directly for them inspections of weapons and equipment more
common
What was the continuity of training like in 1500-1750
Early 1500s – little in the way of official training
Poor standard of training continued through Tudor
Period
What was the change of training like in 1500-1750
Threat of Spanish invasion in 1580s lead to change – professional soldiers called Muster Masters ran training. Not that effective as many gentlemen didn’t like taking orders from ‘lower’ classes.
Training improved in Civil Wars with the New Model Army – was paid regularly, trained by successful soldiers.
New Model Army also continued to stand even after the war finished (1651-8) and played more of a role in politics than any
army beforehand
What was the provisions situation like in 1500
There were more wars
Armies used more horses so needed more fodder
More weapons (e.g. men needed to be supplied with arrows)
Royal Armoury based in Tower of London provided arrows etc.
Baggage trains carried soldier’s supplies
What was the continuity of provisions like in 1500-1750
Requisitioning of goods and services by armies remained essential part of war
Plunder of goods still common
Baggage trains continued to be used
Officially ‘purveyance’ was introduced that should have given a fair price for supplies
What was the change of provisions like in 1500-1750
Free Quarter – armies would force communities to feed and house troops and would leave a signed receipt – almost never paid but the NMA normally did
What was the Experience of civilians situation like in 1500
Cost of war impacted on civilians more (tax)
Raids that created fear and panic amongst civilians. Vulnerable to plundering armies
Civilians joining the army could get good wages
Demand for wartime goods (weapons, armour, clothing) helped industries and citizens benefitted from good, secure wages
What was the continuity of Experience of civilians
like in 1500-1750
Taxes continued to rise in times of war
Fear of plunder remained a constant
Men still forced to join armies
What was the change of Experience of civilians like in 1500-1750
Civil War had a big influence on English civilians amount of fighting on home soil.
More damage done to crops/houses during
Civil War (about 55,000 made homeless)
What’s the background of the Battle of Naseby 1645
New Model Army recently created by Cromwell
Royalists keen to prevent Parliament joining with Scots
Met at Naseby near Leicester
Why did The parliamentarians win the Battle of Naseby
Royalists were overconfident
Parliament had more troops and were better trained and disciplined by now
Royalists flee and Cromwell’s cavalry chased them back to Leicester, killing hundreds
What was the leadership of the Battle of Naseby like
Cromwell (and Fairfax) were inspirational and effective leaders
Cromwell had recruited and trained the best cavalry
His leadership on the east-wing of the battle and in the cavalry attack was vital in tow key parts of the battle
What was the weapons situation like in 1700
Artillery was used much more in battles – range of about 500 metres Could also fire grape shot and canisters
Flintlock musket used by infantry in 1700
Cavalry generally armed with swords and pistols(mounted infantry – Dragoons)
Muskets also had bayonets attached by the 1600s which made them more useful in hand to hand combat – meant that pikes were no longer necessary
What was the continuity of weapons like in 1700-1900
Artillery continued to be a key weapon throughout the period
Flintlock called the Brown Bess introduced in 1715 and used for over 130 years
Cavalry had similar weapons in throughout 1700s
Brown Bess continued to be fitted with a bayonet for close combat
What was the change of weapons like in 1700-1900
Up to 1850
Industrial revolution meant that new techniques were deployed to make lighter field artillery – could be pulled by horses and used in a variety of ways
Minie bullets and rifles from 1840s
After 1850
improvements in science, technology and industry caused many changes:
Improved cannon – steel, breech loading, rifled barrels, recoiling barrels, percussion shells by 1900, smokeless powder by 1890s
Rifles – conical bullets, percussion bullets, breech-loading, magazines of bullets all significantly improved
Machine guns – e.g. Gatling Gun form 1860s, then Maxim Gun from 1890s (up to 500 rounds per minute)
What was the Tactics and strategy situation like in 1700
Infantry tactics using musketeers and pikemen together.
Musketeers and pikemen used in lines/squares
From 1640s, Cavalry used as ‘shock troops’ again
What was the continuity of tactics and strategy like in 1700-1900
Infantry remained the dominant force on the battlefield
Limited warfare remained the norm 1700-1850
Raids, skirmishes and sieges more common than battles
What was the change of strategy and tactics like in 1700-1900
Improvement in musket fire and marching made infantry manoeuvres more rapid and gave generals more opportunities (e.g changing form lines, columns and squares more quickly as at Waterloo 1815)
Artillery could also be moved more quickly and cavalry used more for scouting, harassing and skirmishing rather than frontal attacks
After 1850 – improvements in weapons greatly increased the power of defence. This meant that cavalry charges and infantry lines became even more dangerous. Crimean War showed that the British were slow to realise this (Alma, Inkerman)
Role of cavalry also diminished further (eg Balaclava) But Cavalry still seen as important in a ‘traditional’ way
Government also changed strategy – larger army was needed and with transport and communication changes, armies could now
operate far from home.
What was the composition and command of armies situation like in 1700
Ratio of Cavalry to infantry changed all the time but with no particular pattern.
Most generals wanted 2:1 (Infantry:cavalry) but this did not always happen.
Successful soldiers given the command of the New Model Army during the Civil War – Cromwell, Fairfax
Officers in NMA were given positions on merit, not because of social class although this did not last into late 1600s
What was the continuity of composition and command of armies like in 1700-1900
Infantry still dominant force
Cavalry still valued highly despite decline in
effectiveness – Crimean War of 1850s 5 infantry divisions and 1 Cavalry
Officer class still dominated by upper classes who bought their commissions rather than based on merit.
What was the change of composition and command of army like in 1700-1900
Standing army of approx.500,000 men during this period. Grew larger in wartime but still smaller than European powers. Overall trend of slow growth
Cavalry about 20% of army – in slow decline
After 1850 – growth of army accelerated in late 1800s due to growth in the Empire. (250,000 by 1899)
Cardwell Reforms - purchase of commission ended so officers were promoted on merit
What was the recruitment situation like in 1700
Soon became apparent that system wasn’t effective
Standing army was paid
More men ‘pressed’ or forced to serve as the period went on
What was the continuity of recruitment like in 1700-1900
Standing army created by 1700 and not much change over next 150 years.
Pay remained the main incentive. Sometimes men recruited in inns (pubs) and during wartime criminals and debtors released from prison to join up
Standard of recruits was poor as a result
Militia Act 1757 (parish lists of men 18-50) could be used to pick men for 5 years service.
What was the change of recruitment like in 1700-1900
By 1850s big problems with recruitment – the Crimean War exposed major problems, particularly with the quality of officers
Cardwell Reforms made the army more professional – length of service lowered, reorganisation of regiments into local regions
helped make the army more attractive
Conditions also improved (rations improved, flogging ended) and purchase of commission ended so officers were promoted on merit
What was the training situation like in 1700
Training improved in Civil Wars with the New Model Army – was paid regularly, trained by successful
soldiers.
New Model Army also continued to stand even after the war finished (1651-8) and played more of a role in politics than any army beforehand
What was the continuity of training like in 1700-1900
Attitudes in society prevented change in training. Those in command thought that weapons training was a simple thing that could be left to individual officers so no overall policy
What was the change of training like in 1700-1900
Manuals and Regulations issued in early 1700s but not widely used
Royal Military Academy established in Woolwich in 1741 and the Royal Military College at Sandhurst set up in 1800.
Many more training opportunities for cadets, officers and trainers gave the army a more professional feel by 1900
What was the provisions situation like in 1700
Free Quarter – armies would force communities to feed and house troops and would leave a signed receipt – almost never paid but the NMA normally did
What was the continuity of provisions like in 1700-1900
Requisitioning still sometimes necessary
e.g. ships often used to transport troops
What was the change of provisions like in 1700-1900
After the awful management of supplies during the Crimean war of 1850s, changes were made to make supplying the army more professional – War Office took control of all supplies
What was the experience of civilians situation like in 1700
Civil War had had a big influence on English civilians amount of fighting on home soil.
More damage done to crops/houses during Civil War (about 55,000 made homeless)
What was the continuity of experience of civilians like in 1700-1900
Militia Act still unpopular as men forced to sign up
Requisitioning of wagons etc remained unpopular
Taxation still a burden that increased in wartime
What was the change of experience of civilians like in 1700-1900
Impact on civilians 1700-1900 relatively minor compared to experience of the Civil war in the 1600s
No physical impact of war on civilians 1850-1900
But increased press coverage made people more aware of war and more politically active (e.g, wrote letters of complaint to newspapers about poor supplies of Crimean troops, pressure on government during Boer war)
News of warfare prompted changes in attitudes in society from increased Imperialism/Jingoism in some to pacifism in
others
What was reporting and photography like in the 1700 to 1900
1815 (Waterloo) The Times circulation was 5000, by 1850 it was 50,000
Many more provincial papers by 1850
Russell wrote many reports on Crimea in the Times and Fenton photographed battlefields. Both of these men bought the Crimean
War ‘home’, to make people more aware of war.
Press coverage of Boer War 1899-1902 (correspondents, new popular papers like the Daily Mail) further increased the public’s
awareness
What was the significance of waterloo 1815
Wellington used a defensive position very effectively.
Wellington deployed his infantry in squares (defensive formations a bit like Medieval Schiltrons)
Exposed Napoleon’s indecisiveness and Wellington’s leadership
What was the balaclava 1854 war
Crimean war versus Russia
What was the significance of a balaclava 1854
The Thin Red Line of 93rd Highlanders and charge of the Heavy Brigade fought off the Russian attack
Disastrous and unnecessary Charge of the Light Brigade achieved little with high casualties.Highlighted significant problems with the leadership (e.g. Lord Raglan) and tactics used by the British
What was the weapons situation like in 1900
Improved cannons – steel, breech loading, rifled barrels, recoiling barrels, percussion shells by 1900, smokeless powder by 1890s
Rifles – conical bullets, percussion bullets, breech-loading, magazines of bullets all significantly improved
Machine guns – e.g. Gatling Gun form 1860s, then Maxim Gun from 1890s (up to 500 rounds per minute)
What was the continuity of weapons like in 1900-present
Cannons, rifles, machine guns used extensively during WW1
What was the change of weapons like in 1900-present
Change in weaponry was constant and rapid between 1900-45, largely sped up by the 2 world wars.
Tanks, aircraft, motorised transport used mush more effectively as the C.20 progressed, leads to huge changes in warfare.
Nuclear weapons transform conflict after 1945 (Hiroshima, Nagasaki)
New bomber aircraft – e.g. stealth bombers, fighter jets, drones have made bombing targets mush more efficient and accurate
Infantry weapons – assault rifles with laser aiming, telescopic sights
What was the Tactics and strategy situation like in 1900
Improvements in weapons greatly increased the power of defence. This meant that cavalry charges and infantry lines became even more dangerous.
Role of cavalry also diminished further But Cavalry still seen as important in a ‘traditional’ way
Government also changed strategy – larger army was needed and with transport and communication changes, armies could now operate far from home.
Trench warfare – used by the end of C.19 e.g. Boer War
What was the continuity of Tactics and strategy like in 1900-present
Trench warfare continued in early part of C.20
Cavalry units still deployed at start of WW1
What was the change of Tactics and strategy like in 1900-present
New weaponry meant a significant change to tactics and strategy:
1914 – 18
use of railways to transport masses of troops gave attack the upper-hand.
Defences then dominate (machine guns, trenches, artillery)
Use of tanks, aircraft eventually break the stalemate
1939-45
Blitzkrieg – tanks, aircraft and motorise transport give attack upper hand.
Radar, fighter planes, anti-aircraft guns improve defence
Aerial bombing of cities breaks the stalemate WW1 and WW2 are examples of Total War
Since 1945
Technological advances changed the world
and warfare
- Nuclear weapons
- High-tech equipment (satellites,
infantry equipment, aerial support
Wars now fought very differently – more asymmetric wars (powerful states vs ‘smaller’ states).
Often leads to guerrilla warfare – very difficult to win
What was the Composition and Command of Armies
situation like in 1900
Infantry 65% of the army
Cavalry used for scouting 10% of the army
Artillery 20% of armed forces
Specialist troops only 5%
What was the continuity of Composition and Command of Armies like in 1900-present
Still a relatively small army in peacetime
Infantry still the most likely to confront enemy on the ground
Bombarding enemy still a key part of warfare
What was the change of Composition and
Command of Armies like in 1900-present
Army grew to unprecedented size during the world wars
Size of regular army smaller now than 1900 (similar to size in 1840)
Haldane’s reforms 1908 – restructured the army into Regular and Territorial Force (Territorial Army now known as the Army Reserve)
Warfare developed significantly – proportion of infantry now only 25%
Role that cavalry used to play has largely replaced by tank units
Aircraft and tanks now share this role with ground artillery so the proportion of artillery troops has fallen (10%)
55% of army now specialist troops (e.g. Royal Engineers, Logistics Corps)
What was the Recruitment situation like in 1900
Cardwell Reforms made the army more professional – length of service lowered, reorganisation of regiments
into local regions helped make the army more attractive
Condition also improved (rations improved, flogging ended) and purchase of commission ended so officers were promoted on merit
What was the continuity of Recruitment like in 1900-present
Still reliant on volunteers in WW1 (initially)
What was the change of Recruitment like in 1900-present
Conscription introduced from 1916 (initially all unmarried men from 18-41) 3.5m men conscripted 1916-18
Conscription introduced again September 1939, extended to men up to 51 and women 20-10 in 1941, and again to include women
up to 51 in 1943
Conscientious Objectors were imprisoned or forced into a non-fighting role.
Conscription scaled down after war into National Service (from 1948). All men 17-21 had to complete 18 months of military
training, then serve in the Army Reserve for 4 years. National Service ended in 1960.
Women accepted into army in both wars Separate women army corps ended in 1992, now serving on an equal basis (1/6 troops
were female by 2008)
Now a regular army of 85000
What was the Training situation like in 1900
Royal Military Academy establish in Woolwich in 1741 and the Royal Military College at Sandhurst set up in
1800.
Many more training opportunities for cadets, officers and trainers gave the army a more professional feel by 1900
Some training offered to Boer War recruits poor
What was the continuity of Training like in 1900-present
Training of volunteers/conscripts during WW1 not that effective. Many were sent to war unprepared for what they were to experience
What was the change of Training like in 1900-present
Level of training improved significantly over the C.20
Army now uses high technology equipment so training is very important.
Army recruits sign up at least 4 years with 14 weeks basic training. Specialist troops train for a year or more
Officer training lasts for 1 year.
What was the Provisions situation like in 1900
After the awful management of supplies during the Crimean war of 1850s, changes were made to make
supplying the army more professional – War Office took control of all supplies
What was the continuity of Provisions like in 1900-present
War Office continued to supply the army until 1964
What was the change of Provisions like in 1900-present
System of supplying troops in world wars quite efficient.
Improvements in transport and communications mean that supplying troops became more effective in C.20
Ministry of Defence now oversees supplies
What was the Experience of civilians situation like in 1900
Impact on civilians 1700-1900 relatively minor compared to experience of the Civil war in the 1600s
But increased press coverage made people more aware of war and more politically active (e.g, wrote letters of complaint to newspapers about poor supplies of Crimean troops, pressure
on government during Boer war)
News of warfare prompted changes in attitudes in society from increased Imperialism/Jingoism in some to pacifism in others
What was the continuity of Experience of civilians like in 1900-present
Press coverage continued to make people more aware of war
What was the change of Experience of civilians like in 1900-present
More civilians enlisted and killed (700,000 in WW1, 450,000 in WW2)
DORA – Defence of the Realm Act gave government unprecedented powers to control people’s lives
Civilians became targets – 1414 killed in WW1, 40,000 in WW2
Rationing limited supplies, homelessness caused by bombing campaigns, evacuation of children from cities
Home Guard (older men), Civil Defence (ARP wardens etc.), Women’s Voluntary Service (WVS)
Fear of nuclear war – constant throughout Cold War period
Some benefits? Women’s position in society improved, significant medical development prompted by war (blood transfusions, x-rays) social reforms sparked by experience of war (education, NHS)
What was the War reporting satiation like in 1900
Many more papers by 1850
Russell and Fenton bought the Crimean War ‘home’, to make people more aware of war.
Press coverage of Boer War 1899-1902(correspondents, new popular papers like the Daily Mail) further increased the public’s awareness
What was the continuity of War reporting like in 1900-present
Newspapers continued to report on War to keep people informed
What was the change of War reporting like in 1900-present
Censorship (both enforced and self-enforced) was common in both world wars but censorship more difficult in modern warfare
Propaganda used more effectively
Changes in technology made a huge difference – radio, TV, satellite links
Embedded journalists in modern warfare – live and work alongside soldiers and report directly from the front line
Attitudes to warfare have changed in society – people more aware of the human and financial cost of war so generally less supportive of it
What is the significance of the Battle of the Somme 1916
Massive British allied bombardment failed to do destroy enemy trenches.
Attacking troops mown down by machine gun fire
Went on for 5 months with a little ground gained.
Seen as typical WW1 battle and Douglas Haig often blamed for the loss of life
What was the significance of the Iraq war 2003
Shock and awe strategy by coalition was effective – preparation/air attack/ground attack.
Example of asymmetric warfare – Coalition had more money and better weapons/technology
War was dominated by high-tech weapons such as stealth bombers, smart bombs, cruise missiles, challenger tanks, drones
