Change in Modern Warfare

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What Caused Change in Modern Warfare?

Many factors contributed to the changes in modern warfare.

Changes

Technological and scientific advancements often drove the physical changes, but these were made possible by investments and support from governments and individuals.
As we move closer to the present day, society has a far stronger voice, and their ability to support or challenge government means they too hold considerable weight.

Science, technology and communications

These drove significant advancements in weapons and communications.
This led to a considerable increase in:
- The power of weapons (e.g. nuclear/chemical weapons).
- The speed of fire (as machine guns became even more developed).

Consequences

These advances have also been able to reduce the number of individuals on the battlefield.
For example drones carry out much of the surveillance without endangering troops.

Governments and individuals

Government funding played a pivotal role in the increasing sophistication of weaponry.
Innovations were common in WWI, WWII and the Cold War as government defence spending rose.
A Challenger 2 tank costs £4m - warfare is incredibly expensive in the modern era.

Governments and individuals cont.

The government also had a significant amount of influence on civilians, in terms of:
- Introducing conscription.
- Controlling the news they received.
- Navigating the rebuilding of society after war.

Attitudes in society

Attitudes in society towards Britain’s poor performance in the Boer War led to calls for reforms, resulting in Haldane’s 1908 reforms, increasing the size of permanent volunteers and creating a national reserve (Territorial Army).
Society’s attitudes towards serving in the war changed the treatment of conscientious objectors.

1Medieval Warfare c.1250-1500

1.1Medieval Warfare & Society

1.1.1Weapons

1.1.2Composition

1.1.3Recruitment & Training

1.1.4Experience of Civilians

1.1.5Case Studies

1.1.6Change in Medieval Warfare

2Early Modern Warfare c.1500-1700

2.1Early Modern Warfare & Society

2.1.1Weapons

2.1.2Composition

2.1.3Recruitment & Training

2.1.4Experience of Civilians

2.1.5Case Studies

2.1.6Change in Early Modern Warfare

3Industrial Warfare c.1700-1900

3.1The Industrial Period & Warfare

3.1.1Weapons

3.1.2Composition

3.1.3Recruitment & Training

3.1.4Experience of Civilians

3.1.5Case Studies

3.1.6Change in Industrial Period Warfare

4Modern Warfare c.1900-present

4.1Modern Warfare & Society

4.1.1Weapons

4.1.2Composition

4.1.3Recruitment & Training

4.1.4Experience of Civilians

4.1.5Case Studies

4.1.6Change in Modern Warfare

5The Historic Environment

5.1London & the Second World War, 1939-45

5.1.1London: A Target

5.1.2Preparations for War

5.1.3The Blitz

5.1.4V1 & V2 Attacks

5.1.5Impact of the Blitz

5.1.6The War Effort

5.1.7The Government

5.1.8The Royal Family

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