fortifications

Early forms of guns were difficult to use and often inaccurate, but as they improved, rulers began to replace cavalry with infantry armed with guns. Where mounted warriors had been members of the aristocracy, this change often cost them their privileged position in society. Gunpowder also made it easier for armies to destroy fortifications, ending siege warfare. Centralized governments that adopted firearms technology and could levy taxes to pay for it grew more powerful and were able to dominate other states.

The adoption of firearms made the fighting style of nomadic societies less effective. These societies declined in size and number when governments forced them to settle. Sometimes settled people’s fear of nomads forced governments to take action against them. The competition for natural resources also encouraged many nomadic pastoralists to abandon their way of life.

All images referenced in this podcast can be found at https://openstax.org/books/world-history-volume-1/pages/17-3-gunpowder-and-nomads-in-a-transitional-age

Welcome to A Journey into Human History.

This podcast will attempt to tell the whole human story.

The content contained in this podcast was produced by OpenStax and is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License.

Access for free at https://openstax.org/books/world-history-volume-1/pages/1-introduction

Podcast produced by Miranda Casturo as a Creative Common Sense production.

The second of three videos of the North Centre Bastion and its associated Detached Bastion (aka, "The Smokey", "Dead Man's Island") which form part of the Napoleonic and Victorian defences embedded into the Western Heights above the town of Dover, Kent, UK. Part 2 consists of: Arriving on the surface of the island; a panned view from on top of the Main Magazine identifying a number of features; the interior rooms of the Main Magazine; the steps leading down to the eastern gallery ('tunnel 2', or second tunnel); a long shot of the northern end of tunnel 2; exploring the southern end of tunnel 2 and the unusual features found there*; the surface Magazine and its probable method of lighting; the southern 'hanging' moat; surface ramp to the 2nd drawbridge; the 1st drawbridge again ('disaster drawbridge') and a view of the southern end of the western gallery. Part 2 ends at the junction of the Detached Bastion and the covered passage joining it to the main part of the North Centre Bastion (just past the 2nd drawbridge). *My torch was fading at this point so I shot it again and have put it at the front of Part 3. The videos were made in the Summer of 2009 (nb Dead Man's Island is also where the original ghost or paranormal images were taken in 2007 - and blue orb photos, too). This video was originally posted on YouTube in three parts: Part 1: Dead Man's Island, North Centre Bastion; Part 2: Dead Man's Island, North Centre Bastion; Part 3: Dead Man's Island, North Centre Bastion. Click to see other still photos of the North Centre Bastion. More info: The Western Heights fortifications occupy an area whose maximum dimensions are 1500 x 600 yards. In addition to the North Entrance and North Centre Bastion, other components include the Drop Redoubt, the Grand Shaft, and the Outer Bastion. Also see St Martin's Battery and the Knights Templar church ruins. John Latter / Jorolat Images Of Dover | Videos of Dover | Dover Blog: The Psychology of a Small Town

The first of three videos of the North Centre Bastion and its associated Detached Bastion (aka, "The Smokey", "Dead Man's Island") which form part of the Napoleonic and Victorian defences embedded into the Western Heights above the town of Dover, Kent, UK. Part 1 consists of: External scenes of the Caponier (a huge two-storey chamber projecting into the moat system) and the north face of the Detached Bastion. Internal (ie underground) scenes of: the Caponnier from both floors; the Magazine and how the ventilation system works; the 3-room Upper Gallery; northern end of the Western Gallery ('first tunnel') up to and including the First Drawbridge. Part 1 ends at the top of the steps leading onto the surface of the Detached Bastion (the 'island' proper). The videos were made in the Summer of 2009 (nb Dead Man's Island is also where the original ghost or paranormal images were taken in 2007 - and blue orb photos, too). This video was originally posted on YouTube in three parts: Part 1: Dead Man's Island, North Centre Bastion; Part 2: Dead Man's Island, North Centre Bastion; Part 3: Dead Man's Island, North Centre Bastion. Click to see other still photos of the North Centre Bastion. More info: The Western Heights fortifications occupy an area whose maximum dimensions are 1500 x 600 yards. In addition to the North Entrance and North Centre Bastion, other components include the Drop Redoubt, the Grand Shaft, and the Outer Bastion. Also see St Martin's Battery and the Knights Templar church ruins. John Latter / Jorolat Images Of Dover | Videos of Dover | Dover Blog: The Psychology of a Small Town

Slideshow: A walk around the snow-covered floor of the moats connecting the North Centre Bastion, Detached Bastion ("Dead Man's Island"), and North Entrance of the Napoleonic and Victorian defence system embedded into the Western Heights above the town of Dover, Kent, UK. The photos were taken on Thursday, February 11th, 2010, and the only footsteps you see are mine :) Click to see other still photos of the North Entrance and the North Centre Bastion More info: The Western Heights fortifications occupy an area whose maximum dimensions are 1500 x 600 yards. In addition to the North Entrance and North Centre Bastion, other components include the Drop Redoubt, the Grand Shaft, and the Outer Bastion. Also see St Martin's Battery and the Knights Templar church ruins. John Latter / Jorolat Images Of Dover | Videos of Dover | Dover Blog: The Psychology of a Small Town