Europe became more militarized in the 18th century. Regular standing armies have expanded, and the difference between the number of troops in wartime and peacetime has narrowed. Regular armies received unified weapons and uniforms. There is a close relationship between the development of a standing army and the development of technology and military art. In addition, the firepower has increased significantly. A rifle that could fire three rounds per minute was used. However, it was very inaccurate and had a short range. Easily portable field guns were also introduced. The cavalry had lost its former importance - the horses were timid. To maximize the use of firepower, linear tactics were used. The troops, built in shallow lines on the battlefield, slowly approached each other, firing at each other with intense, albeit inaccurate, fire.
The effectiveness of the people was crucial to victory. The battles were very bloody. The soldier was not required to show military initiative, but blind obedience. The one who didn't flinch from enemy fire won. Garrison life, barracks and a drill square were typical for a soldier of the 18th century. Military uniforms became the favorite clothes of the monarchs. In some European countries, along with a standing army of mercenaries, there were militias that periodically conducted exercises in peacetime and assigned regular service during the war. In Sweden, each regiment had its own recruiting district, from which the royal peasants, burdened with military duty, provided the appropriate number of soldiers. Since the time of Peter the Great, the Russian regular army has relied entirely on the conscription of peasant recruits.
Frederick William I divided the country into recruiting districts (cantons), in which all subordinates served as recruits, and then were at the disposal of their units and from time to time were called up for exercises. Austria has introduced a similar recruitment system. Military coercion was a fear of the peasants and one of the main reasons for their conquest abroad. The landlords were also opposed to conscription, as it deprived them of their subjects. At the turn of the 17th and 18th centuries, the greatest military power was Louis XIV's France, as well as the Netherlands and Sweden. Charles XII's army numbered about 120,000 men.
The Dutch army numbered 100,000 men, while the Polish army numbered 18,000. Given the enormous size of this country, it should be considered de facto demilitarized. The British army numbered 15-30 thousand people. The development of the Brandenburgian-Prussian army was the most dynamic. At the turn of the 17th and 18th centuries, the army numbered about 30,000 men. Over the course of the century, the number of standing armies in this country has increased sixfold on a peaceful basis. The dynamism of the development of the Russian army was similar. Military theorists of the 18th century believed that a standing army should make up 1% of the population. In Prussia, the army made up 3% of the population, and in Poland 0.1-0.2%. The 18th century saw the decline of the Mediterranean rowing (galley) fleets. The largest and most stable maritime power at that time was Great Britain. The second place was taken by the French fleet. The Spanish fleet took the third place. The Russian Navy, built under Peter the Great, has become a new naval power. Registration with the code takes minimal time and brings maximum value. The main advantage is the increased size of the sports bonus on the first deposit. Right after entering, you activate megapari promo code up to $130 + up to $1800 casino package and 290 free spins. These funds open wide opportunities for both sports betting and casino entertainment from day one.