Explain one way in which the impact of warfare on civilians in the years c1500–c1700 was different from the impact of warfare on civilians in the period c1900–present. - Edexcel - GCSE History - Question 3 - 2023 - Paper 1

In the years c1500–c1700, warfare was often characterized by the military's direct involvement in local populations through the process of mobilization and conscription. Civilians frequently experienced random violence, pillaging, and direct military engagement, as armies would often requisition supplies and resources from local villages. For instance, during the Thirty Years' War (1618–1648), civilians in Central Europe faced significant hardships as armies traversed through territories, contributing to famine and dislocation.

In contrast, the period from c1900 to the present has seen warfare evolve into conflicts that often include strategic bombing campaigns and advanced military technology, thus affecting civilians differently. While civilians are still impacted by wars, the nature of this impact has shifted. Modern warfare has led to widespread destruction but often through more organized methods such as aerial bombardment. Furthermore, contemporary warfare typically sees civilians as key targets in terms of psychological warfare rather than just collateral damage as seen in previous centuries. For example, the bombings in World War II, particularly in cities like Dresden and Hiroshima, demonstrate a stark contrast to earlier warfare where civilians would more frequently be caught in direct combat engagements.