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The 17th Century and Military Innovations

The 17th Century and Military Innovations. Major Rascon. Learning Objectives. Know and discuss the continuing religious strife which led to the Thirty Years’ War, and the total nature of such ideological struggles

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The 17th Century and Military Innovations

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  1. The 17th Century and Military Innovations Major Rascon

  2. Learning Objectives • Know and discuss the continuing religious strife which led to the Thirty Years’ War, and the total nature of such ideological struggles • Know and describe the Thirty Years’ War from the standpoint of Gustavus’ strategy and tactics • Know and review the military innovations introduced by Gustavus Adolphus

  3. Learning Objectives • Know and describe the growth of defensive fortifications during the reign of Louis XIV • Know and recall the development of the law of nations in reaction to the unlimited warfare of the Thirty Years’ war • Relate / apply the development of Cromwell’s New Model Army to the changes in civil-military relationships in 17th century England

  4. Reading Assignment • Jones pp. 221-266 • P,R,&W pp.

  5. Social Diversities • Italy still city states • France, Germany, Portugal, Holland evolving into pure monarchies

  6. Results • Powerful kings • Power to tax • Power to raise armies • Centralized control • Sea power shifts world’s wealth

  7. Conflict • 1494 – King Charles VII of France invaded Italy • 1519 – King Charles VIII had alienated Austria (Northern Italy Claims) and Spain (Naples Claims)

  8. 15th vs.. 16th • 15th Century – limited armies fighting limited battles throughout Europe • 16th Century – Europe at war • Charles wanted to unite Europe under one church • Gunpowder was major question

  9. Gunpowder • Had potential, but was cumbersome and inaccurate • Pike only could stop infantry • Most preferred the arquebus, but a mix was needed • Video –9min Wheellock

  10. Consalvo de Cordova • Massed pikes and harquebus on flanks • Countermarching • Spanish square • Cavalry shock charges stopped by Swiss pikes

  11. Mid 16th Century • Religious wars broke out all over Europe • Machiavellian thoughts led to ruthless and unlimited destruction • Citizen-soldiers fought for cause of God • Mercenaries then filled in ranks

  12. End of 16th Century • First Muskets (50 – 100 yd accuracy) • Two rounds every 3 minutes • Artillery improvements • Cavalry comeback • Switch from lance to pistol & sword • Utilized for auxiliary and reconnaissance • Officer ranks & chain of command reestablished (Roman Legion)

  13. 17th Century • Mercenaries filled ranks • Kings hesitated to arm subjects • Kings believed only mercenaries understood new tactics and weapons • Problems: • Money to pay • Loyalty to whom?

  14. New Tactics • Firepower required smaller number of warriors across a larger area requiring greater • Tactical skills • Initiative • Junior Leaders

  15. Leadership • Ethical leaders required (no more reckless knight or selfish mercenary) • New “combat leader” began to emerge: • Socially and ethically disciplined • Tactically a student • Drill and training responsiblities • Discipline – not gunpowder – initiated this transformation of the military

  16. Maurice of Netherlands • Developed Dutch Army Model • Disciplined (unquestionable obedience), Loyal to the unit, year-round pay, lots of drill, still mostly foreigners • Officer Corps • Public trust, commissioned due to deeds vice nobility, commissioned by state, unquestionable obedience

  17. 1618 – Thirty Years’ War • France allied with Germany against Holy Roman Empire • Threatened Baltic States • Total War (Machiavellian) devastated Germany and Europe • Germany (the battleground) would not recover until the 19th Century • Development of the “Law of Nations” in reaction to unlimited warfare

  18. Gustavus’ Strategy • Strengthen Swedish power and defend Protestantism • Carry the war away from Sweden • Cautious progress – pessimistic allies • Mobility of forces

  19. Thirty Years’ War • Gustavus invades from north and has series of political and military victories.

  20. Gustavus’ Military Innovations • Introduced conscription • Reduced soldiers load • Amount of armor • Weight of weapon • Wooden rest – iron spike – no rest • Standardization of paper cartridges • Increased the rate of fire

  21. Innovations (cont) • “Father” of modern artillery • Standardized Siege, field, and regimental guns • Reduced regimental guns by 1,000 pounds • Artillery cartridge • Greatly increased rate of fire and made safer to handle

  22. Atrocities • Revulsion over Thirty Years’ War • Hugo Grotius’ Rights of War and Peace (1625) • Treated states as individuals within in the society of nations • Nations would respect the rights of other nations and honor contractual obligations

  23. English Civil War Background • England • Isolation – no need for standing armies • All men on call, but not at arms • English king could not bring pressure to bear on Parliament • Earlier raids on Spanish ships supported king • Henry VIII • Parliament had religious ties to Rome • Henry VIII created Church of England • Civil War followed

  24. The Conflict • Nobility (King) vs. middle class (Parliament) • Parliament raised army under Cromwell • Recruited citizens who supported Parliament • 22,000 (50% cavalry/infantry) • Disciplined followers • Cavalry directly under Cromwell

  25. The Conflict (cont) • Cavalry was decisive force • Cavalry used pistol & sword (no pikes) • Infantry 1/3 pike, 2/3 musket (100 yd range) • Red Coats • Defeated King, death was sentence

  26. Post Civil War • Parliament refused to pay back army • Parliament tried to disband army • Army revolted and took power (beheaded King) • Cromwell now in charge • Divided country into military regions • Police state • Organized secret police to spy on nation • Aggressive foreign policy • True standing army of 70,000

  27. After Cromwell’s Death • New Parliament and King • New conflict between Parliament/King • King James dethroned • William of Orange took over

  28. William of Orange • Needing men to fight France, he accepted parliamentary restrictions • No peacetime army without parliamentary approval • Protestant citizens had a right to bear arms • Cromwell’s legacy (in America & other English speaking countries as well) • Constitution provides military with civilian rule • Distrust of the “professional officer” has resulted in historical unpreparedness for war

  29. Defensive Fortifications • Louis XIV • Medieval rendered obsolete by artillery • Sebastien le Prestre de Vauban • Constructed three systems of fortifications • Low walls • Earth backing • Below ground fortification • Parallels to approach walls

  30. Summary • Video 9min flintlock

  31. Questions

  32. Next Session Learning Objectives: • Comprehend and explain the resurrection of mobility and offensive by Marlborough • Know and trace the emergence of limited war, international law, and the tight professional armies of Kings

  33. Learning Objectives • Know and describe the strategy, tactics, and means of limited warfare • Comprehend and explain the emergence of Great Britain as the dominant maritime and colonial power by the end of the 18th century

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