18th Century Warfare Brief

The 18th Century saw the end of the romantic and chivalric knights of old and ushered in the 'Age of Rifles'. Gunpowder came onto the world stage in the form of muskets and artillery, giving rise to Dragoon units, the infantrymen, and one Napoleon Bonaparte.

The styles of warfare in the 18th Century changed by way of new organizational approaches to fielding and maintaining a professional army and the emergence of gunpowder for use in weaponry. The English Parliament was the first such governing body to act on this measure, creating the New Model Army as a professional band of soldiers under a strict organizational structure. This was a turn away from the old days of recruiting armies from the populace or hiring out non-aligned mercenaries to further political causes. At the time of the New Model Army, local militias represented the bulk of fighting forces, especially in England, but throughout Europe as well. Parliament, in a battle for power with King Charles I, sought to build up a professional force of fighting men (complete with like-uniforms) under an organized banner and efficiently trained leadership. In doing so, they created the world's first professional army.

The New Model Army featured the flintlock and matchlock muskets operating on the advancement of gunpowder as a projectile propellant. This effectively caused the end of the battlefield knight as musket balls could easily pierce even the most staunch knight armor. Though pike men were still of service on the front lines (these were soldiers armed with giant spears held at an angle to keep enemy horsemen from penetrating the formations), it was the infantryman armed with the gunpowder muskets that began making a difference on the battlefield. These infantrymen, with superior training in tactics, functioned in formations that could best utilize the firepower they provided. A single volley from these muskets could easily demoralize and disorganized a group of advancing soldiers and horsemen.

Armies could also now utilize artillery as an effective means to demolish their enemies from afar. Infantry on horseback developed into equally effective killers known as 'Dragoons', armed with muskets and sabres, providing a fast moving and powerful offensive battlefield piece. In all, the efficiency of an organized assault, defense or even retreat was now taking over the place of the rag-tag approach of simple running and bashing into one's enemy with piercing or blunt objects - the 'age of rifles' had begun - and it gave birth to some of the most famous generals of the time including one Napoleon Bonaparte. It is worth mentioning that swords were still a part of the modern battlefield, but utilized for extreme close combat (as were the musket-butts). Soldiers would stand shoulder to shoulder in formation, allowing one line to shoot, kneel and reload while the second line fired over their heads. The soldiers, on response to the battlefield superior, could also form stout defensive boxes, ensuring that all of their flanks were covered from enemy penetration from any angle. This type of warfare would last well into the 20th Century, seeing final major action in the trenches of World War I.

These changes in warfare during the 18th Century fueled the cause of the super powers to spread their imperialistic tendencies through colonization against weaker nations. Nations in Asia, Africa and the Middle East were now subject to the organized, highly trained and effective fighting forces of Britain, Germany and France. The New Model Army-type of organization ensured swift and crushing defeats on more disorganized tribal armies of the countries they ravaged. In all, this colonization led to the introduction of European customs and traditions around the world, help spread the European church's message (and influence) and implemented the tactic of intimidation over force to overtake struggling and underpowered nations. These changes to the world stage helped usher in new alliances, showcased new areas with natural resources and forged new strategic footholds that are still present today. It is worth noting that the rivalries between the superpowers also led to railway expansion throughout the continent of Africa, as natural resources were being pillaged for the benefit of the invading kingdoms.

In all, warfare became a less brutish effort on some levels for the individual soldier. The 'intimacy' of sword and fistfights gave way to the long-range skirmishes provided by rifle and cannon fire. No longer would a general have to sacrifice half of his army to the initial offensive thrust, but he could meticulously calculate the effective use of his troops through formations, battlefield advantages and overpowering artillery. The changes in modern warfare during the 18th Century changed the battlefield through the new idea of military organization and the advancement of gunpowder in firearms, forever changing the modern battlefield and closing the door on the romanticism and chivalry of the medieval knight.