Gunpowder

Carley E.

What is Gunpowder?

Gunpowder is a mixture of three components: saltpeter, charcoal, and sulfur. The original name the Chinese people used for gunpowder was "huoyao," which translates to "fire medicine." It was first used for fireworks but eventually became used for military weapons. It was first introduced during the 9th century and was accidentally created by Chinese alchemists when they were attempting to create an immortality elixir. The key ingredient in gunpowder was saltpeter and it has been used by the Chinese civilization for medical practices since the late centuries BCE. The perfection of the gunpowder formula can be considered the first significant turning point in technological development.

What was the impact for the Chinese Civilization?

Man loading a chinese fire arrow

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There were numerous main impacts from the creation of gunpowder in ancient China. For instance, the Chinese people used gunpowder for military advancements such as weapons. Those weapons included rockets, cannons, bombs, and mines. It was used as a flammable compound. Weapons using gunpowder were widely used by both the Mongols and the Chinese during the 13th century.

What are Whip Arrows, Flower and Ball bombs?

Whip arrows on the left. "flower" and ball bombs on the right.

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The first use of gunpowder started at the start of the Tang dynasty. Small packages of gunpowder were wrapped up using paper or bamboo and attached to arrows. In the beginning of the Song dynasty all kinds of bombs were used as siege weapons. Those bombs included gunpowder grenades, smoke bombs and incendiary bombs. Cotton or Hemp were soaked in some type of oil then ignited and catapulted. Bombs that were shaped like a gourd and were made of iron shells were strong enough to shatter a city wall. Gunpowder grenades were a mix of gunpowder and shrapnel.

What was the impact for other civilizations?

Even though China is the one who founded gunpowder, it was Europe that was the lead in gunpowder advancements. Europe adopted gunpowder and improved the formula, making it more potent by upping the saltpeter content. They created weapons and canons that were lighter, had better aim, and a longer range. In the middle east during 1444 people wore uniforms that were equipped with gunpowder weapons. The Ottoman empire was famous for their incorporation of gunpowder weapons. Gunpowder spread through the Silk Road and the Mongol expansion. It ended up reaching the Middle East as well as Europe.