The 17th Century and Military Innovations

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