Changes in tactics and strategy

Early Warfare Prior to the Middle Ages (c500-1065)

During this period, warfare was primarily a man-to-man combat with each warrior accountable for his own actions.
Strategy was limited in early warfare, generally revolving around hand-to-hand combat with weapons such as swords and axes.

Warfare in the Middle Ages saw the rise of the ‘feudal system’ where King’s granted lands to the nobles who in return provided knights for the king’s army.
The invention of the longbow and the development of the knight played significant roles in the change of warfare tactics.
Castles also became key strategic points in warfare.

The introduction of gunpowder and cannons in the late Middle Ages drastically changed warfare tactics and strategies.
Muskets replaced the longbows as the primary weapon of the infantry.
Line formation was adopted. This formation allowed soldiers to reload while still maintaining a steady rate of fire.

The Industrial Revolution saw a massive change in warfare with the advent of steam power and railways, offering new means of transport and communication.
Shrapnel shells and rifled barrels made artillery more accurate and deadly.
Introduction of trenches as a means of protecting infantry from increasingly deadly artillery.

The Modern era witnessed mechanisation of warfare especially in World War I, with tanks, aeroplanes, submarines coming into play.
Chemical warfare was also introduced in World War I.
In World War II, blitzkrieg or lightning war was developed by the Germans, emphasizing speed and concentrated firepower.
The development of nuclear weapons in mid 20th century brought a significant change to warfare and strategy, shifting emphasis to deterrence and diplomacy.
Electronic Warfare became a critical aspect in the late 20th and 21st century. This includes anything from cyber attacks to jamming enemy communications.