Eh, early post-Columbian guns weren't all that much of an advantage, except in terms of the expertise required to employ them. I don't think trained gunners really overtook trained archers until the advent of the minié ball.
The utility of matchlock and cannon against people who do not engage in set-piece field battles, employ horses, or have fortifications requiring reduction is extremely questionable.
"My weapon is accurate to over a hundred yards, and can be used perhaps twenty times a minute by a skilled archer."
"Um. Mine can be used by an idiot, but requires a prodigious supply of dry powder and a continuously tended coal. Oh, and good luck firing more than thrice a minute. It's really awesome for mass levies, though. Granted, we don't exactly have masses over here to levy, but..."
The steel was at least useful, but it was all about germs and manufactured trade goods. Mostly the germs. I find the New World origin theory for syphilis to be amusingly ironic.
I agree. Mann contends it's possible it didn't originate in the New World, but I'm inclined to believe there was at least one return gift the New World had for the Old.
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The utility of matchlock and cannon against people who do not engage in set-piece field battles, employ horses, or have fortifications requiring reduction is extremely questionable.
"My weapon is accurate to over a hundred yards, and can be used perhaps twenty times a minute by a skilled archer."
"Um. Mine can be used by an idiot, but requires a prodigious supply of dry powder and a continuously tended coal. Oh, and good luck firing more than thrice a minute. It's really awesome for mass levies, though. Granted, we don't exactly have masses over here to levy, but..."
The steel was at least useful, but it was all about germs and manufactured trade goods. Mostly the germs. I find the New World origin theory for syphilis to be amusingly ironic.
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