Effects of Early Modern Wars (1500-1750)

Economic Effects:

Many wars of the period led to economic devastation. Deadly, extended conflicts like the Thirty Years’ War and the Fronde led to massive economic downturns as workforces were decimated and infrastructure destroyed.
Wars were costly, leading to increased taxes and heightened state control over the economy. The funds required for warfare often resulted in financial crises, pushing countries towards absolutism, as seen in France and Spain.
The Anglo-Dutch Wars and others had significant impacts on trade and commerce. Blockades, naval engagements and the seizure of colonial assets disrupted trade routes and affected the prosperity of nations.

Political Effects:

Many wars facilitated the establishment of new forms of governance. The English Civil War culminated in the temporary overthrow of monarchy in favour of the Commonwealth of England, setting precedents for constitutional governance.
The Peace of Westphalia (1648) illustrated the recognition of the concept of sovereignty, thereby altering the European political landscape and giving rise to modern nation-states.
The outcome of wars often slated the balance of power, benefiting some nations at the expense of others. The Anglo-Spanish War (1585–1604) marked the decline of the Spanish Habsburgs and the ascendancy of England as a global naval power.

Social and Cultural Effects:

Many wars resulted in population loss and societal upheaval. The Thirty Years’ War, for instance, significantly diminished the populations of war-stricken territories due to casualties, famine, and disease, leading to demographic shifts and societal dislocation.
Conflicts often sparked cultural and religious change. The Peace of Augsburg ended the Schmalkaldic War and allowed German princes to choose the religion of their states, thereby facilitating the spread of Lutheranism.
Notably, wars often led to advancement in technology and medicine, as nations were compelled to innovate for survival and victory. Artillery, fortifications, naval technology, and surgical techniques improved significantly throughout this period.

These effects of early modern warfare demonstrate long term impacts that went beyond immediate battlefield victories or defeats. They altered the socio-political and economic landscape, bringing about enormous transformations that defined the subsequent eras.