Military revolutions are significant changes that alter both the fabric of societies and the nature of warfare itself. Revolutions in Military Affairs (RMAs) are technological, economic and doctrinal changes that occur within these revolutions. RMAs are useful in revealing how societies capitalize on military revolutions and use them to their advantage. Throughout history, nation states have used RMAs to exploit the advantages of military revolutions derived from the formation of nation states and the French Revolution.
The first significant military revolution was the rise of the nation state. In 1648, Europe concluded thirty years of continuous bloodshed over religious alliances . At the conclusion of these conflicts, the signing of the Treaty of Westphalia established a new order in Europe that gave rise …show more content…
The Confederacy attempted to use taxation, bond sales, and eventually printed notes (which were only optionally accepted by businesses) for bond purchasing to serve as currency to finance their war effort . Unfortunately, this strategy led to high rates of inflation due to low confidence in the instruments, which resulted in food shortages that severely limited the South’s ability to properly supply its Army later in the war . On the Union side, the Federal government had a similar, but more balanced approach. They issued Treasury notes, but they required acceptance of these notes for all debts except for interest on government bonds making the bonds more enticing for investors (including regular citizens in smaller denominations) . Given the attraction of the bonds, the Union was able to sustain their financing efforts more effectively than the Confederates. Combining better financing with the industrial base of the North, the Union Army was able to sustain operations much deeper into the war giving them a significant advantage over the Confederate
The first significant military revolution was the rise of the nation state. In 1648, Europe concluded thirty years of continuous bloodshed over religious alliances . At the conclusion of these conflicts, the signing of the Treaty of Westphalia established a new order in Europe that gave rise …show more content…
The Confederacy attempted to use taxation, bond sales, and eventually printed notes (which were only optionally accepted by businesses) for bond purchasing to serve as currency to finance their war effort . Unfortunately, this strategy led to high rates of inflation due to low confidence in the instruments, which resulted in food shortages that severely limited the South’s ability to properly supply its Army later in the war . On the Union side, the Federal government had a similar, but more balanced approach. They issued Treasury notes, but they required acceptance of these notes for all debts except for interest on government bonds making the bonds more enticing for investors (including regular citizens in smaller denominations) . Given the attraction of the bonds, the Union was able to sustain their financing efforts more effectively than the Confederates. Combining better financing with the industrial base of the North, the Union Army was able to sustain operations much deeper into the war giving them a significant advantage over the Confederate