The Industrial Revolution was a tremendous economic, social, and technological transformation that started in the late 18th century and persisted through the mid-19th century. It marked the evolution from an agricultural to an industrial economy, and the growth of the current capitalist system affected numerous aspects of society, including the way of operations during the twentieth century. The Industrial Revolution brought about a commutation revaluation, transportation, firepower, mass production of steel, and the invention of new technologies and revolutions that transformed how wars were fought (Mohajan, 2019). The preface of mass-production machines ushered in the creation of new weapons, devices, and plans that significantly controlled the conduct of operations. This paper will analyze the function recreated by the Industrial Revolution in the manners of operations during the first half of the 20th century, concentrating on the consequences of the Industrial Revolution and its impact on the conduct of wars, the emergence of mass armies, and the growth of firepower.
Effects of the Industrial Revolution
The late 18th and 19th-century Industrial Revolutions intensely impacted processes throughout the first half of the 20th century. This trajectory presented new technologies and creations, transforming how wars were fought and troops functioned. These included commutation, transportation, firepower, mass production of steel, invention revolutions, and the political organization of bureaucracy (Parker, 1996). One of the substantial impacts of the Industrial Revolution was the communication revolution. It ushered in the evolution of telegraph lines, the printing press, and the telephone, creating communication quicker and more efficient (Adamsky, 2008). This development profoundly influenced military procedures’ conduct as it made communication between units more accessible and facilitated coordination. It also showed the firepower process (Mohajan, 2019). The preface of rifled firearms, machine guns, and explosives caused warfare to become more lethal and dangerous. This development impacted military procedures, directing to more extensive, advanced, and fierce battles. The transport revolution was another influential impact. The evolution of railroads, steamships, and cars led to the faster and more effective transportation of commodities and individuals, allowing for the rapid motion of troops and supplies (Higginbotham, 1964). Innovation was another significant result of the industrial revolution (Tuang, 2018). New technologies, such as aircraft, tanks, and submarines, created new warfare methods, enabling new forms of combat, such as aerial barrage and torpedo warfare.
The mass production of steel was another significant result that made it possible to deliver extensive quantities of steel at a lower price, leading to the growth of more comprehensive and advanced weapons that allowed the production of more extensive and effective weapons systems (Kretchik, 2021). The industrial revolution also caused the emergence of political organizations, including the bureaucracy, facilitating the organization and management of large armies and complex logistics systems (Adamsky, 2008). The industrial revolution created a new warfare status, with the strategic class becoming essential to the conventional decisive battle (Kretchik, 2021). It also introduced the working and coordinating group of war, developing new technologies and weapons, allowing troops to battle more effectively. The industrial revolution transformed how wars were fought and greatly influenced operations during the first half of the twentieth century.
Impact on the Conduct of Operations
The industrial revolution directly influenced the conduct of functions in the twentieth century by enabling the immediate production of weapons and projectiles, allowing for more efficient and practical warfare (Park, 2018). Creating javelins was more cost-effective, as labor expenditure had declined due to automation. It allowed the expansion of more powerful weapons, such as aircraft and tanks, which could launch offensive functions and defend against hostile aggression (Higginbotham, 1964). The industrial revolution advanced warfare’s scale and intensity, ushering in more lengthy and destructive battles.
Economic warfare is concerned with cutting off the opponent’s supply lines, eradicating their infrastructure, and disrupting their economy. This approach became essential during World War II when the Allies targeted German industrial production (Parker, 1996). The bombing of German municipalities and obliterating their transport networks diluted the German economy and aided in defeating them. Nations could utilize their industrial powers to produce more goods and services than their opponents, providing them with economic benefits (Tuang, 2018). It could put tension on the rival by cutting off resources and supply lines, diluting the adversary, and finally pushing them to surrender. The Industrial Revolution also ushered to more protracted battles and periods of operations, leading to a greater demand for logistics and supply lines, which needed more extensive transport networks (Mohajan, 2019). The availability of transportation made it possible to transport troops and equipment to the front lines fast, guiding to more prolonged battles, which in turn needed more resources to be delivered to logistics and supply.
Introducing new weapons, such as machine guns, tanks, and airplanes, caused larger armies and prolonged battles. For instance, the Battle of the Somme in 1916 lasted four months, resulting in over a million casualties (Smil, 2005). Improved lethality of weapons ushered a greater emphasis on defensive strategies, leading to battles lasting for days, weeks, or even months. It also influenced the development of mass armies. The availability of cheap and plentiful resources made it possible to boost large armies fast. It was essential during World War II when the United States introduced an army of over 16 million soldiers (Tuang, 2018). Quickly replacing losses and maintaining supply lines was vital in numerous battles. As the world’s industrial powers developed, so did the ability of countries to increase mass armies and deploy full firepower.
Fire Power and Mass Armies
Firepower was also significantly improved by the industrial revolution. During the first half of the twentieth century, rifles were mass-produced in industries and dispersed to armies globally (Parker, 1996). It enabled militaries to equip many troops with reliable weapons, significantly improving their ability to strike opponents with accurate fire. Furthermore, the scope of firearms expanded, allowing armies to encounter their rivals further away (Mohajan, 2019). It provided them an advantage in warfare, as they could fire upon their enemies from a safe space while they were still out of the scope of the adversary’s weapons.
Mass armies became achievable due to the expanded production capabilities of industrial nations. Before the revolution, expanding an army could take weeks or even months, demanding mobilizing all available resources (Smil, 2005). However, with the boosted production capabilities of the industrial revolution, armies could be rapidly expanded and equipped from the immense stockpiles of weapons and tools contained in the factories of industrial countries. It permitted governments to quickly substitute losses and reinforce their brigades (Parker, 1996). Similarly, industrial countries could utilize their manufacturers to deliver their troops with foodstuffs, ammunition, fuel, and other necessary supplies, allowing them to stay in the field for extended times.
The advancements in firepower also introduced several key technologies that significantly impacted functions during the first half of the twentieth century (MacLeod, 2002). One of the most well-known was strategic bombing, where aircraft were employed to attack large-scale targets (Mohajan, 2019). It was first used in World War I, with the Germans using Zeppelins to bomb cities in Britain. Using gas was again an influential factor in the war, with both flanks utilizing it for offensive and defensive objectives. For instance, Sonar, radios, and other contemporary security technologies developed during this period (Tuang, 2018). Sonar enabled submarines to detect adversary ships, while radios allowed communication between troops in the field (Smil, 2005). Radios also enabled information to be shared quickly and efficiently, permitting better coordination of soldiers.
New levels of war
It was a transition period from conventional manual labor to mechanized mass production and a transformation from agricultural to industrial economies (Higginbotham, 1964). The most remarkable result of the Industrial Revolution on military procedures was the formation of a new status of war – a Grand Strategic (Park, 2018). This level of war involved military, financial, political, and social factors. The Grand Strategic War class contained resource mobilization, new weapons and tactics growth, and harmonizing military and civilian endeavors. At the strategic status of war, the Industrial Revolution obsolete the conventional concept of the decisive battle. The evolution of new weapons and tactics, such as machine guns and trench fighting, made it challenging to achieve a quick victory (Park, 2018). As a result, military commanders concentrated on attrition and the gradual weakening of the opponent’s strength. The Industrial Revolution ushered in new concepts and practices at the functional group, such as operational planning and coordination. (Parker, 1996). The increased use of railways, telegraphs, and other forms of communication enabled greater mobility and flexibility in service operations (Mohajan, 2019). It led to the growth of new functional frameworks, such as the use of portable forces and the significance of logistics.
Conclusion
The Industrial Revolution of the 19th century had an intense influence on how the world executed its roles during the first half of the 20th century. It conveyed a modern era of great production and commercialization, which allowed the growth of new technologies and skills, new and valuable products, and services. The automation of manufacturing, transport, and communication revolutionized how governments executed their business and engaged in global relations. It also allowed nations to engage in international trade and develop economic strength. The Industrial Revolution offered the conditions for the development of the worldwide economy. It was the pushing force behind the expansion of the world’s inhabitants and the growth of the modern world. By providing the technological and economic bases for the development of the contemporary world, the Industrial Revolution recreated a vital role in handling operations during the first half of the 20th century.
References
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