First generation warfare

First generation warfare is a term created by the U.S. military in 1989, referring to the earliest stages of organized, state-controlled armed forces waging war in the modern era. In its most common usage, it refers to battles fought using line and column tactics with uniformed soldiers governed by the state.

History

The year 1648, when the Treaty of Westphalia ended the Thirty Years' War, is conventionally assumed to be the date of the establishment of the sovereignty of the nation-state. (In reality, the peace gave a practical sovereignty to the German states, which until then were formally semi-independent components of the Holy Roman Empire). The establishment of the nation state meant, among other things, that governments would have exclusive rights to organize and maintain their own militaries. Before this time, many armies were controlled by powerful nobles, local associations, leagues of cities, military orders etc. The first generation of modern warfare allowed to create a straightforward and orderly means of waging war.

The increased accuracy and speed of the rifled musket and the breech-loader marks the end of first generation warfare; the concept of vast lines of soldiers meeting face to face became impractical due to the heavy casualties that could be sustained. Because these technologies were gradually adopted throughout the Americas and Europe, the exact end of the first generation of modern warfare depends on the region, but all world powers had moved on by the latter half of the 19th century.

Contributions to warfare

In order to create a more controlled environment for warfare, a military culture was developed that, in many ways, is still visible in the armed forces of today. Specially crafted uniforms set soldiers apart from the general populace. An elaborate structure of rank was developed, to better organize men into units. Rules for military drill were perfected, allowing line and column maneuvers to be executed with more precision, and to increase the rate of fire in battle.

Examples

*English Civil War
*Anglo-Spanish War
*American Revolutionary War
*Napoleonic Wars
*War of 1812
*Mexican War of Independence

References

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ee also

*Second generation warfare
*Third generation warfare
*Fourth generation warfare