History of weapons - from ancient to modern times

Millennia ago, early humans to protect themselves from wild animals and hostile people began to use various items: driftwood and sticks, sharp stones, and so on. D. It is from those distant times originates the history of weapons.With the development of civilization there were new kinds of it, and every historical epoch match better than the previous stage.In other words, weapons, as well as all of our planet, in the history of passed by its particular evolutionary path - from simple stone ax to nuclear warheads.

Types weapons

There are different classifications, which are divided into different types of weapons.According to one of them, it is cold and firearms.The first, in turn, is of several types: slashing, stabbing, shock, and so on. D. It operates through the muscular strength of man, but the firearms act by the energy charge of gunpowder.Consequently, it was invented at a time when people learned how to get out of saltpeter, sulfur and charcoal powder.And the first in this distinguished Chinese (in the 9th century AD).History weapon has no accurate data on the date of creation of the explosive mixture, but known, when was first described in the manuscript "recipe" of gunpowder - 1042.From China, this information was leaked to the Middle East, and from there to Europe.

Firearms also has its own variety.It is small, artillery and grenade.

According to another classification, both cold and fire - close combat.In addition they have a weapon, relating to weapons of mass destruction: nuclear, atomic, bacterial, chemical and so on. D.

primitive weapons

About what were the means of protection at the dawn of human civilization, we can judge by the findings,that archaeologists managed to get on the habitats of ancient people.All of these findings can be seen in a variety of historical and museum.

most ancient types of weapons were primitive stone or bone arrowheads and spears that were found on the territory of modern Germany.This exhibits about three hundred thousand years.The figure, of course, impressive.In which order they were used to hunt wild animals or war with other tribes - we have only to guess.While rock paintings in some way help us to restore reality.But the periods when mankind was invented writing, began to develop literature, historiography, as well as painting, we have enough information about the new achievements of people, including about weapons.Since that time, we can trace the complete transformation of the way of defensive means.History of weapons includes several epochs, and is the initial primitive.

At first, the main types of weapons were spears, bows and arrows, knives, axes, bone and stone at first, and later - metal (bronze, copper and iron).

Medieval weapons

After people learned to process metals, they invented their swords and pikes and arrows with sharp metal tips.To protect invented shields and armor (helmets, chain mail, etc.).By the way, in ancient times gunsmiths began to make out of wood and metal battering rams and catapults to besiege fortresses.With each new revolution in human development and perfected weapons.It becomes stronger, sharper, and so on. D.

Medieval History of weapons is of particular interest since it is in this period was invented firearms, which completely changed the approach to warfare.The first representatives of this species were arquebus and food, then there were muskets.Later gunsmiths decided to increase the size of the latter, and then in the military field were first artillery.Then begins the story of firearms to state all the new discoveries in this area: rifles, pistols, and so on. D.

New Era In this period edged weapon gradually became supplanted by firearms, which is constantly modified.Increases its skoroletnost, killing power and range of shells.With the advent of the 20th century history of the weapons did not keep up with inventions in this field.During the First World War in the theater of hostilities tanks began to appear, and in the sky - airplanes.In the mid-20th century, in the year of involvement in the Second World Soviet Union, it was created by a new generation of automatic weapons - the Kalashnikov assault rifle, as well as various types of grenades and rocket artillery types, such as the Soviet "Katyusha", underwater military equipment.

Weapons of mass destruction

None of these weapons in their dangers can not be compared with the data.To him, as already mentioned, include chemical, biological or bacteriological, atomic and nuclear.The last two are the most dangerous.For the first time mankind has experienced the nuclear force in August and November 1945, during the atomic bombings of the US Air Force of the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.The history of nuclear weapons, rather his combat use, originates from this black date.Thank God that such shocks humanity never again have to experience.