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Machiavelli to the Defeat of Machiavelli to the Defeat of the Spanish Armadathe Spanish Armada

Major Rascon

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ReferencesReferences

Jones, Jones, The Art of War in the Western WorldThe Art of War in the Western World, , pp.195-213pp.195-213

Montross, Montross, War Through the AgesWar Through the Ages, pp. 211-, pp. 211-214, 227-261214, 227-261

Preston and Wise, Preston and Wise, Men in ArmsMen in Arms, pp. 98-109, , pp. 98-109, 119-131119-131

Ropp, Ropp, War in the Modern WorldWar in the Modern World,j pp.19-40, ,j pp.19-40, 60-6660-66

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Learning ObjectivesLearning Objectives

The student will know and understand:The student will know and understand:The contribution of Machiavelli with The contribution of Machiavelli with

emphasis on his attitudes on war and ethicsemphasis on his attitudes on war and ethicsSpanish tactical evolution on land, Spanish tactical evolution on land,

emphasizing Cordoba and the Moor emphasizing Cordoba and the Moor expulsionexpulsion

The Battle of LepantoThe Battle of Lepanto

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Learning Objectives (cont.)Learning Objectives (cont.)

The student will know and understand:The student will know and understand:The revolt in the Netherlands and the defeat The revolt in the Netherlands and the defeat

of the Spanish Armadaof the Spanish ArmadaThe reforms of Maurice of NassauThe reforms of Maurice of NassauThe significant developments in weaponry The significant developments in weaponry

during the mid-16during the mid-16thth century century

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Machiavelli, 1469-1527Machiavelli, 1469-1527

Recognized link between military, social, and Recognized link between military, social, and political spherepolitical sphere

Saw that new era of war had openedSaw that new era of war had openedEffective armies composed of nativesEffective armies composed of nativesWill to fight based on satisfaction with Will to fight based on satisfaction with

nation’s societynation’s society

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Machiavelli (cont.)Machiavelli (cont.)

Principles:Principles:- Quick, decisive defeat- Quick, decisive defeat- Command to one individual- Command to one individual- Training/discipline critical- Training/discipline critical- Punishment must be severe- Punishment must be severe

““It is much safer to be feared than loved”It is much safer to be feared than loved”These changes seen with innovations in These changes seen with innovations in

SpainSpain

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Spanish Tactical EvolutionsSpanish Tactical Evolutions

Granada - eventually defeated by Ferdinand Granada - eventually defeated by Ferdinand and Isabellaand Isabella

Cordoba - very successful Spanish generalCordoba - very successful Spanish generalColumn - became basic fighting unitColumn - became basic fighting unitTercio - later, 3 columns became a TercioTercio - later, 3 columns became a Tercio

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Conquest of GranadaConquest of GranadaMay 1485 - Jan 1492May 1485 - Jan 1492

BackgroundBackground– Ferdinand of Aragon and Isabella of Castille Ferdinand of Aragon and Isabella of Castille

marriedmarried– Their Goal - expel Moslem Moors from SpainTheir Goal - expel Moslem Moors from Spain– December 1481 - Moslems seize Zahara December 1481 - Moslems seize Zahara – Response - Christians Response - Christians

retaliate, Ferdinand retaliate, Ferdinand and Isabella come and Isabella come to aidto aid

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Results of GranadaResults of Granada

SuccessfulSuccessful– April 1491 - January 1492: Christians, in April 1491 - January 1492: Christians, in

overwhelming force, repulsed all Moorsoverwhelming force, repulsed all Moors– Ended 8 centuries of Moslem/Christian struggleEnded 8 centuries of Moslem/Christian struggle

Spanish Soldier became formidableSpanish Soldier became formidableNecessitated requirement for professional Necessitated requirement for professional

armyarmy

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Gonzalo de CordobaGonzalo de Cordoba

Used Economy of ForceUsed Economy of Force Arquebusier ProtectionArquebusier Protection

– Recognized potential and vulnerability ArquebusierRecognized potential and vulnerability Arquebusier– Provided protection while reloading with pikemenProvided protection while reloading with pikemen– Key in using small arms decisively on the battlefieldKey in using small arms decisively on the battlefield

Video-10min MatchlockVideo-10min Matchlock

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Column and TercioColumn and Tercio

1505 - Column created by King Ferdinand 1505 - Column created by King Ferdinand based on Cordoba’s experiencebased on Cordoba’s experience– Mixed pikemen, halberdiers, arquebusiers, and Mixed pikemen, halberdiers, arquebusiers, and

sword-and-buckler mensword-and-buckler men– Commanded by Commanded by cabo de colunelacabo de colunela (chief of (chief of

column), or “colonel”column), or “colonel”– Originally used for admin and movementOriginally used for admin and movement

1534 - The Tercio Developed1534 - The Tercio Developed– Larger organization made up of 3 ColunelasLarger organization made up of 3 Colunelas

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Spanish SquareSpanish Square

““Spanish Square”Spanish Square”– Eliminated Eliminated sword-and-bucklersword-and-buckler and and halberdiershalberdiers, leaving , leaving

only only pikemenpikemen and and arquebusiersarquebusiers– Pikemen massed 50-60 men front, 20 deepPikemen massed 50-60 men front, 20 deep– Arquebusier at CornersArquebusier at Corners

EmploymentEmployment– ArquebusiersArquebusiers would fire, then fall back to protection of would fire, then fall back to protection of

pikemenpikemen while they reloaded while they reloaded Became basic fighting unitBecame basic fighting unit CountermarchCountermarch Video –5min Spanish squareVideo –5min Spanish square

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Battle of Lepanto - 1571Battle of Lepanto - 1571

Last significant galley battleLast significant galley battle Influenced by gunpowder but little changed from Influenced by gunpowder but little changed from

“infantry battle at sea”“infantry battle at sea” Christians vs. TurksChristians vs. Turks Turks – 230 ships lost; Turks – 230 ships lost;

20,000 men killed20,000 men killed Christians – 173 ships lost;Christians – 173 ships lost;

7,600 killed7,600 killed

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Revolt in the NetherlandsRevolt in the Netherlands

Netherlands inherited by SpainNetherlands inherited by Spain Dutch revolt: 1568-1609Dutch revolt: 1568-1609

– Religious differences: Northern provinces strongly Religious differences: Northern provinces strongly protestant; Spanish … Catholicprotestant; Spanish … Catholic

– Initial Spanish success: Initial Spanish success: 1585: Recapture of Antwerp by 1585: Recapture of Antwerp by Alexander Farnese, Duke of Alexander Farnese, Duke of ParmaParma– English intervene of side of English intervene of side of rebelsrebels

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Spanish Armada - 1588Spanish Armada - 1588

AO designed to invade EnglandAO designed to invade England The Armada was to rendezvous The Armada was to rendezvous

with Parma’s army in Netherlands with Parma’s army in Netherlands and cross channeland cross channel

The Armada itself carried a The Armada itself carried a subsidiary landing forcesubsidiary landing force

The English PlanThe English Plan– Prevent the junctionPrevent the junction

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The Destruction of the ArmadaThe Destruction of the Armada

English ships, guns, and gunnery proved decisively superiorThe Armada’s only chance was to close and attempt to board•English used wind and speed to their advantage to escape boarding

•Spanish are too slow for smaller, faster English

•English employed speed and guns effectively

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Spanish LossesSpanish Losses

Out of 130 ShipsOut of 130 Ships– 63 lost63 lost– English sank or captured 15English sank or captured 15– 19 wrecked on Scottish or Irish coast19 wrecked on Scottish or Irish coast– Remaining 33 unknownRemaining 33 unknown

Heralded decline of Spanish empireHeralded decline of Spanish empireBegan England’s mastery of the seasBegan England’s mastery of the seasRevolt lasted 21 years afterward, led by Revolt lasted 21 years afterward, led by

Maurice of NassauMaurice of Nassau

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Maurice of Nassau PhilosophiesMaurice of Nassau Philosophies

Continued Netherlands’ revoltContinued Netherlands’ revolt Restructured military using Romans as modelRestructured military using Romans as model Reduced depth from 40 to 10 and then later down Reduced depth from 40 to 10 and then later down

to 5 (the number who could effectively employ their to 5 (the number who could effectively employ their arms)arms)

Frontage of 50 pikemen at 3 ft intervals (modern Frontage of 50 pikemen at 3 ft intervals (modern linear formations)linear formations)

Formations had musketeers placed on the flanks Formations had musketeers placed on the flanks 40 men, combined arms40 men, combined arms

This smaller force made unit more flexibleThis smaller force made unit more flexible

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Features of Army under Features of Army under Maurice of NassauMaurice of Nassau

Troops rigorously taught drill by superiorsTroops rigorously taught drill by superiorsLong term enlistments of regular soldiersLong term enlistments of regular soldiersGood pay, regular professional armyGood pay, regular professional armyFirst military academy introducedFirst military academy introducedEncouraged development of new weaponsEncouraged development of new weapons

- Gas and explosive shells- Gas and explosive shells- Mapmakers- Mapmakers- Field glasses for observation- Field glasses for observation

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New 16New 16thth Century Weapons Century Weapons

Musket replaced arquebusMusket replaced arquebus– Increased rangeIncreased range– Greater stopping powerGreater stopping power

Wheellock pistol Wheellock pistol – Renewed importance of cavalryRenewed importance of cavalry– Now, less vulnerable to attackNow, less vulnerable to attack

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SummarySummary

Machiavelli foresees changing militaryMachiavelli foresees changing militarySpanish exploit new technology to become Spanish exploit new technology to become

dominating force and create standing armiesdominating force and create standing armiesNew naval tactics end “battle at sea” New naval tactics end “battle at sea”

principles and lead to destruction of Armadaprinciples and lead to destruction of ArmadaMaurice of Nassau makes innovative Maurice of Nassau makes innovative

changes to create a superior forcechanges to create a superior forceSteady, increased use of new weapons and Steady, increased use of new weapons and

gun powder on the battlefieldgun powder on the battlefield

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Questions?Questions?