Kenneth Chase’s Firearms: A Global History to 1700 is survey of the development of firearms throughout the world until the 18th Century. Kenneth Chase is a historian who’s focus is East Asian Languages and Civilizations. Chase uses material from secondary sources that focus on specific topics such as the economy or logistics of a given region and people to develop his survey. In addition to the secondary sources, the author places pictures in various portions of the book to help provide supporting evidence to his claims. Chase organizes his book in a chronological order of firearm development that allows the reader to develop a full understanding of what impact this development had on the world as a whole. Chase argues that the development of firearms is completely dependent upon the opponent and geography of a given people and more importantly the presence of nomadic peoples.
Chase begins his survey of the world with China prior to 1500 and their development of gunpowder and firearms. The origins of the firearm are traced back to the invention of a form of gunpowder in the 400s but Chase states that the first use firearms is not seen until the 1100s. The military battles at the time were focused in southern China where firearms, albeit primitive, proved themselves to be of use. Warfare in China changed location in the 1300s with the Ming Dynasty focusing its efforts on fighting the Mongols in the Northern Steppe. The Mings produced many different gunpowder related weapons but Chase argues that the majority of these weapons couldn’t be used in the highly mobile steppe warfare. The Yongle Campaigns discussed in the book point to the fact that weapons of the time were an unseen sight and sound for the Mongols but didn’t prove to be as deadly as described. Fighting the nomads also was restricted by the logistical challenges.
Much of Chase’s discussion of warfare revolves around the use of firearms but there is additional emphasis on the logistical challenges of overland battles including steppe warfare. The author continually discusses the logistical challenges of warfare with firearms using examples of the Ottoman and Russian wagon laagers and Yongle armies in addition to many other smaller entities. In the case of the Russians and Chinese, overland battles proved to create issues because they could not travel long distances for long periods of time due to limited supplies. The nomadic peoples took advantage of these large armies’ weaknesses. The Russian conquest was subdued when the Tartars burned the grasslands along the marching path. The Chinese campaigns were suppressed by the Mongols retreat deep into the Inner Steppe. Chase argues that the high mobility of the nomads allowed them to avoid conflict and deceive their opponents challenging even the most developed sedentary societies. While the nomadic people of the Eurasian Steppe suppressed firearm development in bordering civilizations, western Europe had a dramatically different experience with firearms.
The author states that firearms likely arrived in Europe, developed, by way of the Mongols. The book argues that firearms were not initially received well by Europeans as they were considered a satanic article. The initial reception of the firearm was altered when the Europeans found them to be effective against other sedentary civilizations. Europe at this time had scattered populations therefore overland warfare could be accomplished more effectively due to supply lines. Chase argues that the development of weapons likely stemmed from their effectiveness in siege warfare. European’s overall method of warfare was much different than that of the Chinese against the Mongols. A victory in battle was achieved when new land and strongholds were taken. Chase spends much of this discussion on Western Europe but does not fail to mention the challenges with Eastern Europe’s border on the Steppe. Similar to many of the other regions discussed in Chase’s book, Russia faced the need to balance their warfare tactics as well as firearm usage.
A common theme in this book is balance. Based on the map that is placed in the introduction, the majority of the world discussed in the text borders with steppe and desert. The areas that border arid zones are also surrounded by sedentary populations. The author describes both challenges in great detail. He discusses the Ottomans at great length throughout the book and how they were able to balance their interests. The Ottoman empire bordered Transoxiana to the north and the Saudi Peninsula to the south, both having their own nomadic people and developed civilizations. Chase argues that the Ottoman wagon laager provided the best of both worlds. He praises the Ottomans ability to adapt to their enemies in order to be victorious. The Ottomans were able to use siege warfare, wagon laagers, and naval warfare to fight sedentary peoples. In addition to fighting sedentary populations, they were able to modify their wagon laager to be effective against nomadic, cavalry based enemies. Even though the Ottomans were able to alter their wagon laager to fight nomadic people, Chase’s discussion of the Safavids and Ottoman battle in Azarbayjan indicates weaknesses with a heavy firearm reliance.
Safavid and Mamluk
The last half of Chase’s survey focuses on the far east and their usage of developed firearms. The author revisits China after they have developed their weapons by way of European influence. This section focuses mainly on China’s ability to balance their warfare against southern enemies and the northern Mongol’s. While the use of European and Ottoman firearm technology did help to defeat the Mongols, the use of walls and fortification systems was just as large of a factor. Japan and Korea are discussed in the final portion of the book where firearms are largely seen in the form of naval gunnery. Japan faced little opposition because of the nature of the archipelago but needed the weapons if they wanted to trade
The criticisms of this book stem only from the title of the book and what it implies. Chase presents his argument in incredible detail but “Firearms” suggest his book will detail how the invention of gunpowder will led to the 18th century musket. This book focuses more on the big picture of firearms were incoroporated in to societies warfare tactics. The author went to great lengths to detail battles, power struggles, logistical challenges and how the evolution of warfare itself determined success.
Chase provides a very clear and orderly argument that mainly focuses on how nomadic peoples influenced the development of firearms. The manner in which he describes the warfare of individual parties is extremely thorough but at the same time calls into question whether this book is about firearms or warfare tactics and challenges. It is important for the reader to understand how the battles were executed and the underlying power struggles. At the same time, the evolution of warfare itself determined the success of many peoples. For example, Chase argues that the new firearms introduced in China after 1500 helped them to defeat the Mongols but this success hinged largely on the new fortifications that China placed on their northern borders.