The Significance of the Deployment of New Technology in Influencing the Nature of Warfare in the Years 1845-1991
“Assess the significance of the deployment of new technology in influencing the nature of warfare in the years 1845-1991”
In order to ascertain the effect that technological advances had on the nature of warfare within this 146 year period, it is necessary to break down the definition of the “nature” of warfare. Within this essay it is understood to mean the ways in which wars were fought. Furthermore, one must also consider the non technological factors that affected the nature of warfare, and the ways in which wars were fought as a result of their impact. For example, factors such as economic power and resources have been known to significantly affect the nature of warfare. In evaluating the importance of these factors in comparison to that of technological advances it will be possible to make a sustained analysis.
During the 19th Century, key technological developments were made. These included artillery, rifles and communications. It is evident that these advances significantly affected the nature of warfare. For example, whereas previously soldiers had been forced to fight at close quarters, the development of guns such as the Needle Rifle in the Crimean War allowed soldiers to fire from greater distances whilst simultaneously protecting themselves, putting defence at an advantage. Furthermore, the fact that the Needle Rifle was able to fire 5 times faster than previous guns made open attack suicidal. As well as leading to revolutionary changes on the battle field, the dominance of defensive weaponry prolonged wars but made them less intensive. For example, during the American Civil war it is clear that the dominance of defensive weaponry made battles inconclusive, prolonging the fighting as neither side had weaponry that decisively dominated the other.
There is evidence that illustrates how new technology could determine the outcome of battles. For example, the development of the Maxim machine gun proved vital in the Battle of Omdurman, where the use of it
In order to ascertain the effect that technological advances had on the nature of warfare within this 146 year period, it is necessary to break down the definition of the “nature” of warfare. Within this essay it is understood to mean the ways in which wars were fought. Furthermore, one must also consider the non technological factors that affected the nature of warfare, and the ways in which wars were fought as a result of their impact. For example, factors such as economic power and resources have been known to significantly affect the nature of warfare. In evaluating the importance of these factors in comparison to that of technological advances it will be possible to make a sustained analysis.
During the 19th Century, key technological developments were made. These included artillery, rifles and communications. It is evident that these advances significantly affected the nature of warfare. For example, whereas previously soldiers had been forced to fight at close quarters, the development of guns such as the Needle Rifle in the Crimean War allowed soldiers to fire from greater distances whilst simultaneously protecting themselves, putting defence at an advantage. Furthermore, the fact that the Needle Rifle was able to fire 5 times faster than previous guns made open attack suicidal. As well as leading to revolutionary changes on the battle field, the dominance of defensive weaponry prolonged wars but made them less intensive. For example, during the American Civil war it is clear that the dominance of defensive weaponry made battles inconclusive, prolonging the fighting as neither side had weaponry that decisively dominated the other.
There is evidence that illustrates how new technology could determine the outcome of battles. For example, the development of the Maxim machine gun proved vital in the Battle of Omdurman, where the use of it