EIGHTEENTH CENTURY ARMIES
WEAPONS
Muskets - the most important technology of 18th century warfare
Important Characteristics:
1) Short Range - 80 to 100 yards at best
2) Slow to Reload - took 15 to 20 seconds under best conditions
3) Inaccurate
4) Undependable - subject to fouling, unusable in bad weather, difficult to repair
5) Black Smoke Discharge
Rifles
Important Characteristics:
1) Longer range than musket - perhaps up to 300 yards
2) Much more accurate than a musket
3) Even more difficult to reload
4) Also longer, heavier, and more difficult to maneuver with
Edged Weapons
Bayonets
Usually the decisive weapon in European battles
Americans at a big disadvantage early in the war because of lack of bayonets
Swords
Most useful weapon for cavalry
Also carried by most officers
Polearms
Halbreds, Spontoons, and Pikes
Artillery
Important Characteristics
1) Long Range - could be 500-800 yards
2) Could be very destructive
3) But also had drawbacks:
1) tremendous variety in sizes, shapes, and materials
2) required elite corps of artillerymen to aim and shoot it
3) was very vulnerable to enemy attack during battle
4) was heavy and cumbersome to move on land
Was most effective when mounted on ships
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