The Western Way of War Mr. Odren
1. Superior Technology 2. Discipline 3. Military Tradition 4. Change and Response 5. Financial Dominance
◦ Superior technology usually compensated for inferior numbers. ◦ West has not always enjoyed Universal technological superiority – until the advent of musketry volleys and field artillery in early 17 th c. ◦ Not all advanced technology originate in West. ◦ Many vital innovations, including the stirrup and gunpowder, came from eastern adversaries.
New military technology is usually borrowed by every society, because penalty for failing to do so can be immediate and fatal. West seems to be preternaturally receptive to new technology whether from its own inventors or from outside. Technological innovation and vital ability to respond and use it, soon became feature of Western Warfare.
Technological edge has rarely been sufficient to ensure victory. Superiority of armament may increase the chances of success in war, but does not in itself win battles. Western military practice has always exalted Discipline – rather than kinship, religion or patriotism as primary instrument to turn bands of individuals fighting into organized units. Drill and long-term service important.
Ability to stand fast in the face of the enemy, whether attacking or being attacked, without giving way to the natural impulses of fear / panic. Repeated group activities (combat or drill) all have the effect of creating artificial kinship. Whether defending Europe / defeating Aztecs, without superior discipline West loses. Alexander the Great defeating Persian empire.
Reinforcing Technology and Discipline is continuity of Military Theory/Tradition. Published military strategy thru time. Ancient theorists and modern practitioners of war shared love of precedent and conviction that past examples could influence present practice. Western theory of decisive victory that brings about unconditional surrender / total defeat and destruction of the enemy. This contrasted with military practice in many societies (native americans/west africa)
West developed unique ability to change as well as to conserve its military practices as need arose. Areas contested by multiple polities saw the need for military innovation and could become extremely strong. Competing states that were both numerous and institutionally strong, the challenge and response dynamic could become self- sustaining (growth begetting growth/competition). Europe…
Introduction of gunpowder weapons and defense systems, the coast of war increased significantly. Creating the means to fund such expensive forms of warfare clearly served to enhance the power of the state in the West which was economically advanced. Every change in size or equipment of armed forces required both new efforts to extract resources from population and expanded gov’t structure. The less developed the economy, the less easily the cost of military preparedness could be absorbed – even within the West.
West developed more sophisticated structure of credit. Use of taxes to fund military (American Revolution) The ability to organize long-term credit (and therefore the existence of a secure and sophisticated capital market) to fund public borrowing in wartime represented a crucial “secret weapon” in the West. Relatively few states proved able to remain in the race for too long.
1. Superior Technology 2. Discipline 3. Military Tradition 4. Change and Response 5. Financial Dominance