Military Revolution

The Military Revolution refers to a radical change in military strategy and tactics with resulting major changes in government. The concept was introduced by Michael Roberts in the 1950s as he focused on Sweden 1560–1660 searching for major changes in the European way of war caused by introduction of portable firearms. Roberts linked military technology with larger historical consequences, arguing that innovations in tactics, drill and doctrine by the Dutch and Swedes 1560–1660, which maximized the utility of firearms, led to a need for more trained troops and thus for permanent forces. These changes in turn had major political consequences in the level of administrative support and the supply of money, men and provisions, producing new financial demands and the creation of new governmental institutions. "Thus, argued Roberts, the modern art of war made possible — and necessary — the creation of the modern state."

The concept was further expanded by Geoffrey Parker in Parker (1976) and Parker (1996) to cover the trace italienne capable of withstanding the new siege artillery, the growing Spanish army, and such naval innovations as capital ships firing broadsides. Parker also stressed the worldwide implications, linking the Military Revolution inside Europe to the rise of the West to global dominance.

Parker also highlighted the significant part William Louis, Count of Nassau-Dillenburg played in the Infantry Revolution of the 16th - 17th Centuries. In a letter to his cousin Maurice of Nassau, Prince of Orange dated December 8, 1594 William Louis set out (from reading the Tactica by Aelianus Tacticus) an argument around the use of ranks by soldiers of Imperial Rome as discussed in Aelian's Tactica. Aelian was discussing the use of the counter march in the context of the Roman sword the gladius and spear the pilium. William Louis in a 'crucial leap' realized that the same technique could work for men with firearms.

" I have discovered ex evolutionibus a method of getting the musketeers and others with guns not only to practice firing but to keep on doing so in a very effective battle order (that is to say, they do not fire at will or from behind a barrier....). Just as soon as the first rank has fired, then by the drill they will march to the back. The second rank either marching forward or standing still, will then fire just like the first. After that the third and following ranks will do the same. When the last rank has fired, the first will have reloaded, as the following diagram shows:..

Other historians, like Christopher Duffy and Jeremy Black, have criticised the concept of a military revolution in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries as exaggerated, misleading or simplistic.