Chinese Gunpowder and The World
How a search for immortality lead to centuries of death and destruction
Goals for this Story Map
Some of the largest cannons in the world owe their creation to gunpowder. (Tsar Cannon from Russia)
This Story Map wishes to highlight the importance of Gunpowder to human history. Black powder has drastically changed the way that humans went about warfare and chemical engineering. Pathing the path to a much more destructive future, with Gunpowder leading to some of the most deadly weapons that mankind has ever made. Throughout this Story Map you will learn about the proliferation of Gunpowder from ancient china to the greater regions of Eurasia and finally the rest of the world. This Story Map is aimed at individuals who share a interest in weapon history and early firearms.
A painting depicting an explosive powder within an urn
Preface
Early Gunpowder is much different from what we have today, also known as black powder it was one of the first well documented and created chemical explosives in history. Within Black powder there is: sulfur (S), charcoal (C), and potassium nitrate (KNO3). Surprisingly enough Black Powder was initially a result of Taoist alchemists search for immortality. Instead a cure they were left with a volatile powder that reacted violently with fire. It's said the first Taoist alchemists who experimented with the black powder burned their laboratory down with it.
TimelineJS Embed
China and the East
01 / 12
1
The search for immortality(AD 142)
Taoist Alchemists search for the cure of death.
-Combined several substances in hopes to create a powder for immortality
-This results in a powder that reacts violently with fire, however it isnt documented or put into use anywhere.
2
Baopuzi (AD 283-343)
-First record of the ingredients of gunpowder
-The book itself highlighted many other Tao feats in alchemy, philosophy, science, mathematics and many other items.
3
The Zhenyuan Miaodao Yao-lue(AD 900)
-Precise text of Taoist Alchemy
-Texts highlighted dangerous creations and chemical formulas that were known to cause harm
-Gunpowder is mentioned as a substance that once set fire to the alchemist's home.
4
Siege of Yuzhang (AD904)
-First documented case of gunpowder being used in warfare
-Fire arrows have been used to a great extent during sieges, however gunpowder arrows allowed for consistent burning and much more structural damage.
5
Siege on the Song Dynasty
-A siege by the nearby Liao Empire
-They were held back by fire arrows that were developed and tested before.
6
Jinkang incident (1126)
-One of the earliest instances of Gunpowder usage in warfare.
-Early fire lances and fire arrows, as well as thunder crash bombs.
-Jurchens nomads vs a Song Dynasty walled city.
-The gunpowder weapons shocked the Jurchens, but the city fell after 2 months as no reinforcements came to the Song city's aid.
7
Early Chinese Cannons
-First example of a Chinese cannon was vased shaped and fired a variety of materials from clay to rocks.
-First INTACT example of a hand cannon was depicted in the Dazu rocks carvings while the first traditional cannon is the Wuwei bronze cannon, which is said to be from between 1000 AC to 1200 AC.
8
Siege of De'An (1132 AD)
-Profuse use of fire lances and bombs by the De'An defenders.
-Gunpowder use shifted to both bombs and propellant.
-New and refined gunpowder was said to be used, as a new name for gunpowder was conned.
9
Mongol usage of Gunpowder Weaponry (1281)
-During the Japan Invasion by the Mongols in 1281 we can see some of the first standardized use of gunpowder by the Mongols
-Thunderclap Bombs and early cannons were used.
-Many Mongol vessels that sank off the coast of Kyushu had intact cannons and bombs aboard.
10
Casting and Metallurgy (1350)
-China managed to increase their metal working efficiency and quality.
-Removal of slag and using wrought iron instead pig iron made much more durable weapons and cannons.
11
Naval Gunpowder Equipment (1372)
-Cannons began to make their way onto Ming ships
-Although rather small and cumbersome many other nations began to put cannons onto boats
-Naval warfare for the Ming dynasty was mostly limited to fire lances, early rockets, bombs and arrows.
12
China (1400AD)
-Ever since the disbursement of gunpowder technology to greater Eurasia and the West, China quickly fell behind in weapons development.
-Under the eyes of the Ming Dynasty in the 1400's, much of China's weaponry was derived from foreign nations, large cannons and small arms especially.
"Chong" a bronze hand cannon dated to around 1424
Gunpowder, along with many other inventions, was wholeheartedly an accident. China enjoyed a long history with gunpowder before it was spread to the rest of the world. Through the rigorous efforts of Tang, Song, and Ming engineers and scientists, they were able to create rudimentary firearms and explosive devices. Many were used as siege weapons against enemy strongholds as well as effective shock and awe weapons. However it was through the Mongols where these technologies were put to good use. Mongolian forces were able to spread further west until they met European resistance. Many early iterations of gunpowder weaponry were born from the creative minds of Ancient Chinese engineers. We were introduced to: fire arrows, fire lances, bombs, handheld cannons, rockets and much more gunpowder powered weapons.
Scarborough castle destroyed by artillery in 1645
The lack of written text within Europe illustrating the arrival of gunpowder has lead to many interpretations on when and where gunpowder made its way into Europe. Even if the origins were murky, gunpowder took a huge turn within Europe, propelling weapon development and changing landscape of warfare. It didn't take long for European and Middle Eastern civilizations to quickly adopt gunpowder weapons. The introduction of early cannons into Europe spurred the development of large powerful weaponry. Siege weapons were slowly replaced by artillery in Europe. While in Turkey, cannons were used to breach the once said indestructible walls of Constantinople.
Eurasia and the West
01 / 15
1
Middle East and Gunpowder (1240AD)
-Gunpowder was introduced to the Middle East through unknown means. Many believe that it was through the Silk Road.
-Similar to Europe it is surmised that gunpowder technology is introduced by conquering Mongol forces or the Silk Road
2
Middle Eastern use of rudimentary gunpowder weapons
-Early gunpowder weaponry in the Middle East was adopted from the Chinese and Mongols.
-Weapons included fire lances, bombs and fire arrows. Fire lances(pictured above) were mainly used as anti personnel weapons, meant to scare enemies away rather than cause harm.
3
Battle of Mohacs (1526 Aug)
-Ottoman empire vs Hungary and its allies.
-While both sides had firearms, Ottoman victory was achieved from overwhelming superior weapons and a horribly obsolete enemy forces.
-Much of the Ottoman victory was attributed to their weapons. Hungarian forces deployed heavy armored infantry, and were subsequently picked off easily by Ottoman weapons.
4
Ottoman Empire
-The Ottoman Empire quickly adopted gunpowder technology when compared to other empires during the time.
-They were able to establish production of weapons and military branches that specialized in the use of gunpowder weapons and technologies.
-One of the largest cannons ever used was created by the Ottoman Empire, and was fired both in the 15th and 19th century.
5
Safavid Empire(During 1598)
-The Safavid empire went under heavy military reformation during the 1600's where they equipped their armies with around ten thousand muskets and some 500 mobile cannons.
-This upgrade to military technology came from the increasing threat from the Ottomans in the west.
-This was quickly put to use during the conflict against the Uzbeks who invaded Persia after a civil war erupted due to the previous leaders death.
6
Mughal Empire as a gunpowder empire(1520s~1600)
-An early gunpowder nation along with the Safavids and Ottoman
-Deployment of gunpowder weapons started around 1520's and empires around the Mughals that didn't have weapons of such scale quickly faltered in their path.
7
Mughal Empire (1520s)
-The Mughal's deployed a wide range of weapons from cannons, to guns, rockets, and early volley guns(pictured above).
-The Mughal empire made use of rockets, and this technology was later adapted to Congreve rockets.
8
Europe and Gunpowder(1280AD)
-Many sources argue on how Europe came into contact with gunpowder, however many cite the Silk Road or the Mongolian campaigns that brought gunpowder to Eastern Europe.
-Gunpowder took a while to take foot in Europe compared to Middle Eastern Empires.
9
First European Cannon (1326)
-European depictions of cannons started very similar to that of those in the East.
-Large metal vases packed full of material and propellant were the first iterations of cannons. These were first seen in France
-It wasn't until the mid 15th century where cannon balls started to make an appearance, also in France.
10
Battle of Formigny (1450)
-Battle between France and Great Britain.
-Cannons usage was cited during this battle, although not to a significant degree in kill count, but for their deafening noise alerting the French that the battle had begun.
-French cannons during this time fired solid shot (cannon balls) and were able to be much more effective than they were some 100 years ago. Having proper sights to aim rather than just eyeballing their targets.
11
Battle of Zonchio (1499-~1503)
-Battle between the Ottoman Empire and Republic of Venice.
-Battle over the contested Aegean Sea, Ionian Sea, and the Adriatic Sea.
-Extensive use of breech loading cannons. Breech loading cannons allowed for faster reload rates and were easier to maintain compared to muzzle loaded cannons.
-Also when cannon ships became standard. Picture the ships that are prevalent in modern day pirate movies.
12
Gunpowder in Civil use (1630)
-Gunpowder is used for its explosive properties in civil work, i.e. road work, tunnel work, mining.
-Several developed nations especially Great Britain, develop mechanisms to aid in civil work
13
Horseback mounted archers obsolete(1750)
-Firearms become so effective in both lethality and space consumption that they completely replace horseback archers.
-Blunderbusses, flintlock pistols, and muskets replace both crossbows and compound bows on horseback infantry.
14
Smokeless powder (1880)
-Smokeless powder (aka white powder) was invented by a French chemist, Paul Marie Eugène Vieille in 1884.
-Smokeless powder, although not truely smokeless produced much less fumes and gas than traditional gunpowder. While being almost 3 times as powerful as black powder.
-Many other gunpowder alternatives were produced, such as cordite by Great Britain, and Paul Marie Eugène Vieille's own formula being altered.
15
End of Gunpowder (1900's)
-The proliferation and rapid advancement of smokeless powder quickly replaced gunpowder in military applications.
-Gunpowder quickly became used in less applications and only made a comeback in hobbyists.
Dardanelles cannon used during the siege of Constantinople
When gunpowder made its way towards Europe and greater areas of Eurasia, it forever changed how war was waged between empires. The Safavids, Mughals, and Ottoman all received gunpowder technology rather well and much quicker than the Europeans did. The Ottoman's in particular were able to create some of the worlds largest cannons. These were able smash through the great walls of Constantinople. Through the use of gunpowder these three empires were able to expand well beyond their borders into neighboring territory. The Mughal's for one were worried about their enemies the Safavids to the west and built up large units consisting of rifle men. We saw a definite use and proliferation of heavy artillery from these three empires during this time, not to mention the revolutionary usage of breech loading cannons, which created a basis for modern battleship armament later in history.
British Man o War ships included several decks lined with cannons and heavy armor.
Europe took a different route with their newfound gunpowder weapons. Although much slower in the development of gunpowder weaponry, they were able to utilize it much better than their Chinese and Eurasian contemporaries. The first European cannon didn't make an appearance until 1326 in France, however in 1450 the French were able to already fire solid shot ammunition from their weapons. Not only that but the cannons were of stellar quality, greatly overshadowing the cannons used by other empires at the time. The British and French for one were known for their continued use of gunpowder way into the modern times until it was phased out by smokeless powder. Both the British and French Empires developed strong navies with emphasis on gunpowder weaponry to wage their battles.
Conclusion
Gunpowder was thought up as the cure for death, instead it was an essential piece of the puzzle for death. Even though its purpose in the beginning was for civil and recreational use, it was still turned into a weapon by many crafty individuals. China paved the way for Europe and Eurasia to further develop firearms by investigating the exact ratios for each ingredient, as well as creating some of the first firearms ever.
The gunpowder age brought about many changes to warfare for mankind. We were given much more destructive weapons of war and higher death counts at the same time. Many engineers dreamed of their weapons being used on the battlefield and many key developments in weapons are still being used today. During this age we saw the first usage of large artillery on ships and the creation of some of the largest cannons, not to mention a rapid decline in fortifications across Europe.
