History Component
Cannon Designs:
Culverin:
The culverin was a precursor to the musket. It came in both hand-gun and field gun form. The Culverin was used primarily in the 15th and 16th century. The culverin was a large improvement over the ballista with an iron cannon ball and gunpowder, which, combined gave it increased range, power and accuracy. The Field Culverin came in many sizes but the ones used most were the Culverin Extraordinary, the Culverin Ordinary, and the Culverin Least-sized.
The Culverin Extraordinary had a diameter of 5.5 inches, a length of 14’8”, and weighed 4,800 pounds. Its shot had a diameter of 5.25 inches and weighed 20 pounds. The Ordinary Culverin had a diameter of 5.5 inches, a length of 12’, and weighed 4,500 pounds. Its shot had a diameter of 5.5 inches and weighted 17 pounds and 5 ounces. The Culverin Least-sized had a diameter of 5 inches, had a length of 12’, and weighed 4000 pounds. Its shot had a diameter of 3.25 inches and weighed 14 pounds an 9 ounces.
Demi-Cannon:
The demi-cannon was developed in the 17th century and was usually seen on warships or battlements. It was usually larger than a culverin but similar in make. They were usually around 11 ft long and weighed around 5,600 pounds. With 18 pounds of powder it could fire a 32 pound ball. The Demi-Cannon, though it had a range of 1600 feet, wasn’t very accurate, and ships would attempt to get as close to the opponent as possible before firing. However, what the Demi-cannon lacked in accuracy, it made up for in power. A Demi-cannon would often cripple an enemy ship in a single shot.
Falconet:
Also known as the falcon, the falconet was developed in the 15th century as a light cannon. It was named such since its shot, usually weighing about a pound, was the rough size and weight of a falcon. The barrel of a falconet was approximately four feet in length, and weighed about 176 pounds. The range of the falconet was an impressive 5,000 feet, and they were also used to fire grapeshot, which is similar to buckshot, but on cannon scale.
Howitzer:
The Howitzer is one of the most modern cannons in existence. It was first developed in Sweden in the 17th century and has continues to be developed into the 1980s. The howitzer cannon is defined by a length 15-25 times the caliber, a lower velocity and shorter range than guns and a typical elevation generally higher than 45 degrees, as well as a multi-charge propellant. The most commonly known howitzer is the large one often seen on tanks.
Mortar:
Mortars have been used for a long time, earliest sightings of them seen in use during siege warfare. The mortar generally consists of three basic parts, the barrel, the base, and the bipod. Mortars, unlike typical cannons, don’t launch balls of heavy metal. They are loaded with shell, usually an explosive, but it can also be something like a firework.
The mortar is still used in modern warfare. Sometimes they are mounted on the backs of armored trucks, but, often, they are placed on the ground, loaded and fired at the enemy. The mortar is best used on a nearby target, due to the trajectory, however, if the angle is adjusted right, it can be used for longer ranges.
Saker:
The saker was invented in the 16th century and named for another bird of prey, the Saker Falcon. The barrel of a saker was around 9.5 feet, and had a diameter of about 3.25 inches. The Saker weighed approximately 1,900 pounds and, with 4 pounds of powder, could shoot a 5.25 pound ball 7,400 feet. The saker was sometimes carried on ships, but mainly used in forts and keeps in England against siege.
Economic Impacts of Cannons:
When the cannon was first developed, trade for gunpowder was intense. China, as the major producer of gunpowder, became a trading hub even more so than it had been. The continent of Europe was being overtaken by rebellion. When the handgun was manufactured, the methods needed to forge the shot and barrels were very limited in variation. Governments easily regulated the molds needed and this helped to create factory-type arrangements. The government regulation on weapon creation prevented rebellions in many areas longer than it may have been subdued.
Social Impacts of Cannons:
When cannons were first introduced to Medieval Europe, cannons were used “solely to cause panic” (Jackson, James, The Impact of Gunpowder on Late Medieval Castles), however attackers soon realized that the castle walls could be toppled much more easily with cannons than with trebuchets and catapaults. The use of cannons significantly reduced the time of sieges. The impact of gunpowder warfare not only affected warfare practices, but extended to the architecture of castles and modified the lives of those who lived within.
The hand cannon also made a sizeable impression on medieval warfare as well. (“Hand Cannon”, Wikipedia) The hand cannon was light, powerful enough to pierce the strongest armor of the day, and cheap and easy to manufacture. A warrior wielding a hand canon, though he lacked the accuracy of a crossbow or the range of a longbow, required almost no training. Bowmen had to be trained from childhood to be effective. The handgun was a near ideal weapon for a continent swept by rebellion.
Ethics Behind Weapons of Mass Destruction:
I don’t believe it is moral for any society, regardless of intentions, to build any weapons of mass destruction. The only exception that I approve of is if one group builds WMDs and another groups builds them to prevent the other from using them, i.e. you bomb us, we’ll bomb you, which typically prevents either party from doing so.
A weapon of mass destruction, according to Mr. Ritter, is something that kills lots of people, destroys mountains, or demolishes a lot of man-made structures. I think that, though anything that can destroy mountains shouldn’t be allowed to exist, the worst part of WMDs is the cowardice behind it:
It takes almost no mental fortitude to press a button. If you are going to kill someone, I side with the Spartans in that you should be able to kill a man with your own hands, as in have the guts to face the person who’s life you are ending. Dropping a bomb eliminates almost all but the smallest opportunities for remorse or pity. Its hard to personify your victims without being able to see them, and it seems easier to kill someone when they don’t seem like a real person. I don’t like the thought than killing anyone could be easy.
