How Did Warfare Change From 1450 To 1600

From the time of 1450 to 1600, Europe saw an expansion and adjustment in the centralization and expansion of state powers. With only a few number of powerhouse nations in Europe at this time, the ability to broaden borders and affect society as a whole became a feat due to the scientific revolution. Particularly, newfound technology for exploration, the spread of ideas, and stronger armies became a catalyst for the expansion of states in Europe from the second half of the fifteenth century into the seventeenth. At the time of 1450, the technology Europe possessed did not allow countries to travel to other continents to establish colonies, or to even use ships for mass trade. Later on, with the introduction to new navigational instruments such as the compass and maps, long, trans-Atlantic voyages became possible. Compasses and maps especially revolutionized naval systems, as sea captains could determine their …show more content…
Although the origins of gunpowder dates back to ninth century, its actual use in war was scarce until the powder could be used in a practical way. When its development led to handguns in the mid 15th century, the seemingly small canons at the time established what is now the modern army; battles could now be fought across longer distance with a new sense of mobility for the soldiers. This revolution and invention for the history of warfare ultimately changed the way armies fought for the rest of time, and the development of larger, more effective armies under the reign of a country undoubtedly led to a expansion of power. These standing armies allowed for protection of the state, and in an offensive way, the conquest of other lands could now be a more common, simpler task. Despite its presence in other time periods, gunpowder in the mid fifteenth to seventeenth century revolutionized the way every single war would be fought