developments in weaponry 1500-1700

• What period saw huge changes in weaponry?

  1500–1700
• What weapons became dominant in battles during 1500–1700?

  Pikes, muskets, pistols, and cannons
• How did new weapons affect battle tactics?

  They led to changes in battle tactics
• When were muskets developed?

  During the 1400s
• By what year did the musket begin replacing the longbow?

  By 1550
• Why did muskets replace the longbow despite being slow?

  They could pierce armor and were cheaper
• What was a significant advantage of having hundreds of armed men?

  It proved superior to skilled longbowmen
• What led to a lower percentage of men able to handle a longbow?

  Growth of towns and changes to fencing methods
• When was the wheel-lock pistol developed?

  In the 1540s
• What did pistols and swords replace in cavalry?

  They replaced the lances of individual knights
• How did cavalry tactics change with the introduction of pistols?

  Cavalry rode close, then withdrew to reload
• What replaced the matchlock musket by the 1630s?

  The flintlock mechanism
• Why was the matchlock musket considered dangerous?

  It had an exposed match flame near gunpowder
• What emerged in the 1660s that changed musket combat?

  The plug bayonet
• What was the purpose of the socket bayonet by 1705?

  To convert musketeers into mêlée combatants
• Who noticed the success of Spanish pikes against Swiss pikes?

  Henry VIII
• What did England undertake in its army due to pike success?

  The use of pikes in its line of army
• What does the socket bayonet allow?

  The musket to still fire
• What weakened the rising power of cannons?

  New engineering methods for stronger walls
• What construction methods were used for new-style defenses?

  Low, thick, earth-filled walls and angled walls
• How did bastions contribute to defense?

  They provided positions for cannon fire return
• What were the impacts of two developments in weaponry from 1500–1700?

  • Introduction of muskets led to changes in tactics and reduced reliance on skilled archers.
  • Development of the socket bayonet allowed musketeers to engage in close combat without splitting roles.