Historical Effects of Military Revolution

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| The Military Revolution | The Beginning of European Global Dominance | | [Type the author name] | 11/14/2012 | History 111 (AS 01) Bohdan Somchynsky History 111 (AS 01) Bohdan Somchynsky | From the 16th Century to the 19th century Europe underwent a period of incredible military evolution and development commonly referred to as the military revolution. This “revolution” drastically altered the way armies fought, no longer was the mailed fist of the Knight what defined armies ability. The introduction of gunpowder transformed European society and economies it had direct and often dire consequences on the rest of the globe as colonial competition took hold. From its humble beginnings in 1405 when Berwick-upon-Tweed surrendered from a single shot from an English bombard to the dazzling military reforms enacted by Maurice of Nassau. Gunpowder transformed combat in a dramatic fashion, swords were replaced by muskets, pikes and spears by the ring bayonet. European powers were adapt at copying one another’s tactics and technology, so although there were countless wars fought from 1500 to the 1800’s they did not really produce any profound changes to European homogeny. The most substantial effects were felt globally as Europe took advantage of Asian, American, and middle eastern nations failure develop or evolve these new tactics or technology resulting in European mastery of the globe by the 19th century. The military improvements were followed by dramatic changes to the economic and political makeup of Europe. Modern armies were both more expensive and more difficult to raise then the medieval armed forces of old, these new armies placed unprecedented strain on European supply systems and economies. In Europe there was no unified tax system, no ruler in Europe could rely on a steady income to finance their military ambitions or hope that their
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