History of Guns in the United Kingdom Past to Present

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History of Guns in the United Kingdom Past to Present HUMN432: Technology, Society, and Culture Team Leader: Michael P Team Members: Brent S, Aaron C, Michael P Fall Session B 2010 Kenneth Edick DeVry University Online 1) Innovation of guns in United Kingdom – Brent Sonnen Guns have been responsible for molding the world, as we know it now. Europeans were introduced to gunpowder (15% Charcoal, 10% Sulfur, and 75% potassium nitrate) in the thirteenth century. Most scholars agree that Asia is responsible for inventing gunpowder where as Europe is responsible for developing it into more efficient and effective weapons. Gunpowder led to cannons, which played a massive role in the power struggle for land in most European countries. Cannons prevented nobleman from waiting out the siege in their stone castle. Canons led to guns, which were originally very simple, and by today’s standards ineffective. They would often be used along side of traditional weapons such as pikes, lances, and crossbows. However, adding guns into the mix immediately changed the way battles were fought. The popularity of guns on the battlefield quickly led to great improvements in the technology. First came the matchlock, which held a slow-burning wick used to ignite the gunpowder. In addition to that, the design of original guns was improved to increase accuracy, portability, range, and reload time. In the 1700’s, guns were extremely popular in any modern army. Britain’s army used the musket to defend their land as well as conquer new. Guns have influenced Britain in a massive manner regarding their conquest in Africa as well as North, South, and Central America. The United Kingdom is a sovereign state that consists Great Britain, the northeastern part of Ireland, Scotland, Wales, and many smaller islands. The United Kingdom is a constitutional monarchy and unitary

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