In support of my argument of a military revolution in sixteenth-century Europe, it is important to outline key elements that took place during this time period. The makeup of units in a European army had changed. Infantry units such as men at arms, pike men, and men with shot overtook heavily armored cavalry in terms of effectiveness. Once dangerous heavy cavalry units found themselves decimated by these massed units of infantry. The invention and perfection of effective gunpowder weapons proved deadly on the battlefield and caused a change in fundamental tactics. The growth in the size of armies became directly related to the length of time wars were fought; and to the monetary costs of keeping these large armies operational. New standards
