History of Modern Europe (1648-1948): Through the Usage of Armaments

By radubancescu

  • Transition of Primary Weapon Between Pikes and Muskets

    Transition of Primary Weapon Between Pikes and Muskets
    Peter Snayer's 1653 painting of "The siege of Aire-sur-la-Lys" shows dominance of pikes as the main weapon for soldiers, while seeing muskets slowly replacing bows, eventually replacing pikes as well. Some of the reasons for the slow development of the firearms in its three first centuries of invention can be attributed to the state's and population's fear of change, skepticism and high importance put on religious morals at the time.

  • Mass-Production of Firearms during the End 18th Century and Beginning of the 19th Century

    Mass-Production of Firearms during the End 18th Century and Beginning of the 19th Century
    William Heath's 1815 painting "Battle of the Pyrenees" depicts the 1813 event sharing the same name during the Napoleonic Wars.It shows the commonality of firearms, especially bayonets in the battlefield, as almost every single soldier in these large armies possesses one. This is the consequence of the bigger phenomenon that was happening in the late 18th century and early 19th century: The Industrial Revolution. Factories made cheap mass production of weapons, metallurgy and textiles possible.

  • The Arms Race before WWI

    The Arms Race before WWI
    Glackens' 1909 caricature 'No Limit', which starred on the cover of Puck Magazine, depicts the battleship arms race between European powers, the U.S and Japan before the start of WW1.The title reflects how outpaces of weapon innovations against rivals were unlimited. The arms race was the result of the rise of 'new imperialism' , as rising tensions over territorial disputes over African and Asian colonies occurred.

  • Increase Usage of Aerial Bombs during WW2

    Increase Usage of Aerial Bombs during WW2
    Picture of the Nazi areal-warfare armed forces, Luftwaffe, performing areal raids on the city of Stalingrad, in the summer of 1942, shows the rise of extremism, due to ideologies such as Nazism, and ruthlessness in Europe. The Nazis first bombed cities to destroy aircraft factories and bases, but soon targeted civilians from various cities such as London and Belgrade. Retaliation from the Allies showed ruthlessness against civilians as well (ex: Project Manhattan, supported by UK, being used)