Page 160 - (DK) Smithsinian - Military History: The Definitive Visual Guide to the Objects of Warfare

INTRODUCTION

From the late 17th to the early 19th centuries, From the second half of the 18th century, a new spirit
there were few dramatic changes in military infused European warfare, related to the currents of
technology. The basic infantry weapon was the revolution that swept America in the 1770s, and France
flintlock musket with bayonet attached; artillery from 1789. Although the American Revolution, waged by
consisted of smoothbore muzzle-loading cannon. America against Britain, was fought mostly by conventional
However, the nature of warfare developed in armies, irregular troops with rifles showed their effectiveness.
organization, ideology, strategy, and tactics. This encouraged European armies to make better use
of skirmishers as an adjunct to their line infantry, and to
Eighteenth-century European states maintained permanent arm some of their forces with rifles. In 1793, the French
armies commanded by officers, with regiments and formal revolutionary government created a mass national army,
hierarchies of rank. Infantry were uniformed and issued based on the idea that men should fight due to patriotic
with standard equipment, harshly disciplined, and drilled enthusiasm, rather than fear of punishment. After rising
to march and fight in formation with automatic obedience. to power in 1799, Napoleon Bonaparte reorganized the
Cavalry performed a variety of roles, from reconnaissance French army into a unified force of four corps, each capable
to charges or pursuit of the enemy, while field artillery of independent operations. Like the British Royal Navy’s
was also now a key part of armies. At sea, a ship of the Admiral Nelson, at sea Napoleon favored an offensive
line might mount 70–130 cannon in broadside. Thus, strategy and aggressive tactics. By 1815, European armies
non-European states, such as Ottoman Turkey or Indian had grown to unprecedented size and states had shown
princedoms, found themselves at a military disadvantage. an ability to mobilize vast resources for victory in war.

KEY DATES
1680 The flintlock musket and socket A Russian victory over Sweden, The Seven Years’ War is fought in
at Poltava (in modern Ukraine)
bayonet become standard issue
The Siege of Vienna, Austria,
Europe; sometimes regarded as
cartridges improve musket
Iron ramrods and paper
Victory at the Battle
of Quebec gives Britain
fails, marking the last
The carronade, a
naval gun, is introduced
short-range British
Manchu China
the first “world war”
for European armies
1683 Ottoman threat to Europe c.1700 1709 signals Russia’s new status as a 1720 1740s loading and rate of fire 1756–63 1759 control of Canada c.1770
major military power
conquers Tibet
1757
Frederick the Great of Prussia
1745
1692
1704
1739
1775–83
1763
1713–40
American rebels, with French
The Siege of Namur Britain’s Duke of Marlborough wins King Frederick William I In India, Iranian ruler Nadir Belgium, exemplifies European beats the French–Austrian allies, at The French navy adopts support, defeat the British in the
The Battle of Fontenoy, in
exemplifies highly
signal flags for improved
his greatest victory over the
turns Prussia into
Shah defeats a Mughal
Rossbach and Leuthen (in Saxony
army and sacks Delhi
formalized siege warfare
American Revolution
and Poland respectively)
a militaristic state
musket-and-bayonet tactics
French, at Blenheim, Germany
communication at sea
THE SACK OF MAGDEBURG—1631 THE SIEGE OF NAMUR—1692 THE BATTLE OF YORKTOWN—1781