How did Europe lose its military elite and why did it fail to replace it with something new with the same function?
Advances in technology evened the playing field so much that conscripted commoners led by somewhat competent career officers are good enough for winning wars. Military elites are not needed.
>>18347968>Military elites are not needed.they are not needed for winning wars, but they are essential for the survival of the state and society in general. that's where Europe fucked up
>>18347873It became obsolete
>>18347988So, what's the point of a military elite which does not have any military function? That just makes them a normal elite.
>>18348025As recently as WW2 the normal elite was indeed overrepresented in military service.
>>18348031That does not make them a military elite.
>>18347873What? Knights (i.e petty nobles with land) simply became officers in the new standing armies of the various european states. And many household cavalry or infantry regiments were entirely recruited from people of such a "knightly" background - from soldier/trooper to officer; all were of aristocratic background.>to replace it with something new with the same function?I assume you mean Heavy Cavalry. It existed well into the late 19th century. Albeith this arm had losts its potency in later years.>>18347988>but they are essential for the survival of the state and society in generalAnon, nobles were folded into the bureaucracy of early modern states. From officers and generals to ministers and councillors - most were nobles.
>>18348035Yes it does>>18348206Anon… they weren’t folded into the bureaucracy. The bureaucracy became inflated and subsumed them.
>>18347873>How did Europe lose its military eliteArmies based around the idea of heavily armored cavalrymen who exchanged military service in exchange for lands and privileges became completely outdated. The Hussites and Swiss showed Europe that the knightly elite could be utterly humiliated by cannon, firearm or even relatively simple pikemen who do not break at the sight of a cavalry charge. Mercenaries and eventually standing, professional armies replaced them.>why did it fail to replace it with something new with the same function?The nobility regularly sought employment within the military or state bureaucracy. Most of them adapted to the changing times and simply became important statesmen or commanders in service to their king.
>>18348237>Yes it doesNo, it doesn't. Being a military elite would imply that the primary function of this elite class was military pursuits, which it wasn't. British (and other Western European) elites overwhelmingly were part of the civil service. They do not have any special military function not given by any other member of society.
>>18348237>The bureaucracy became inflated and subsumed them.No. Even in "ye olden times" lesser nobles fuliffled bureaucratic functions towards higher nobles. Ffs most nobles dated back to royal officials that became hereditary over time.
