Military History - Research Paper Example

Lynn (51) attributes this phenomenon to limited objectives in addition to lack of effective military weapons and hardware. Moreover, the military command structure was uncoordinated or non-existent which made launching a large-scale military operation a formidable challenge. Combination of these factors resulted into limited notable military conflicts until 1793, when French Revolutionary War started in Europe (Cummings, 1). According to Bruce et al (632), monarchs owned armies a situation that restricted military operations to regions under the jurisdiction of the rulers.

The size and the objectives of the military depended on the intentions of the rulers and the public was not actively involved in making important decision pertaining to the role of military. In order for frequent military wars to occur, Bruce et al (636) argued that the “geographical, technological and political factors that make offensive operations less costly and more effective stimulate more intense security competition, which increases the likelihood of wars”. These factors were conspicuously absent or uncoordinated to stimulate military operations. . spreading across continents and large regional frontiers as evidenced by French Revolution Wars that spread into various continents from the last decade of eighteenth century.

Therefore, acquisitions of resources for the existing dynasties rather than ideological pursuits were the major strategic goals of wars in eighteenth century. The French Revolution War that broke in 1789, for instance had been preceded by aggressive territorial expansion of France in Europe (Lynn, 62) Eighteenth century witnessed a striking change in organization of people in the society. Historians consider the century as a period of “enlightenment”, which saw a paradigm shift in the ways in which people conducted different activities including wars (Cummings, 2).

The three elements of enlightenment, which included rationalism, individualism and relativism, became influential factors that defined and determined military aggression (Cummings, 2). The three elements of enlightenment discouraged military aggression because of the subsequent destruction and loss of human lives (Cummings, 2). Therefore, enlightenment promoted pacifism and complete withdrawal from war like activities. Economic interests and individualism played a critical role in defining political considerations of wars during the period.

According to Delbruck (33), participation of monarchs, the owners of the armies in trade and other commercial activities discouraged their military organizations from engaging in intense and large-scale battles. The costly nature of wars was against the rulers’ economic interests because military mobilization utilizes substantial financial and human resources in addition to disrupting normal activities in the society (Delbruck, 60). In this regard, it was in the best interests of monarchs to