History of Cannons

Pre- 1800's
By definition a cannon is any piece of artillery that uses gunpowder or other usually explosive-based propellants to launch a projectile. In the Pre-1800's Cannons were used as a way to protect people from attack and also helped people lead attacks and conquer cities/ states. They proved to be a useful asset to military groups seeking power from back then before the 1800's to present day .


Tsar Cannon
Created in 1586 by Russian Tsar Feodar and cast by Andrei Chokhov.
Weighs 39.312 tonnes, Length 5.34 m (17.5ft) External Diameter of 1,200 mm(47.2 in)
It was created early in the 19th Century and was one of the world's biggest inventions. It is one of a kind. The Tsar Cannon fired 800kg grapeshot as ammunition. It now resides in the walls of Moscow Kremlin.

Dardanelles Gun

Otherwise known as Great Turkish Bombard

Cannons were introduced to warfare in Western Europe in 1453  and  was itroduced to the Ottoman Empire which they had used to help theTurkish siege of Constaninople. 
The Dardanelles gun was cast in bronze in 1464 by Munir Ali. It had a weight of 18.6t and a length of 518 cm. It was able to fire out stone balls with at least a diameter of 63 cm. (almost 2 feet).The Powder chamber and the barrel are connenected by a screw mechanism and it allows an easy transport the cannon.
The Darndanelles gun was given to Queen Victoria by Sultan Abdülaziz in 1866 as a present. It was then became a part of the Royal Amouries.

1800's- 1900's

The 1800's were an eventful century, Thomas Jefferson was elected not once, but twice; Atomic theory was published, slave importation was outlawed, but it was also a century of which many great cannons were invented.

The Double Barreled Cannon

Invented in 1862  by John Gilleland. It was cast in Athens, Georgia. The two barrels have a divergence of 3 degrees. The cannon was designed to shoot two cannon balls connected by a chain to "mow the enemy down."

When it was first tested it was a failure. With imperfections present the cannons were in a spinning movement in an off-center direction. Witnesses had reported that it had torn up a cornfield and then when the chains broke they had went into different directions.

On the second firing the chain had shot across the horizon. The third firing had knocked down the chimney of a cabin and killed a nearby cow. The firings were considered a success to Gilleland.

The Double-Barreled cannon was used in the Civil War as a way to signal the Conferates if an attack from the Union was approaching. It was used in Jully of 1864 in Monroe, Georgia; but this had proved to be a false encounter. It had disappered in 1891, but then was recovered ten years later.

Canon Obusier de 12

Invented in 1853 by France. It had a 12cm caliber, this itself was known as a great improvement from other previous cannons. This was such an improvement  because it could fire most kinds of ammunition and as for it's new design,it had not been seen before. This cannon was able to fire any type of ball, shell, canister or grapeshot. This cannon is also known as the 12-pounder Napoleon, after Napoleon III. In 1857 America had gotten hold of this weapon and made good use of it in the Civil War.

1900's- Present
Nowadays weapons are found in all different shapes and sizes. We are introduced to so many new forms of weapons every now and then. Some weapons are so advance it blows our mind away, others scare us. But in all fairness weapons are just like us in a weird way. They are evolved versions of themselves the way we have evolved according to Darwin's theory.

M777 Howitzer

Created in 2005 in the United Kingdom.It was created to replace the M198, it's also small and very portable. Because of its small size and the use of titanium, it was easily transported and stored. The M777 Howitzer uses Rocket Projectiles,High Explosives, "copperhead"; for ammunition. IT has also been used in the War in Afghanistan,  the War in Iraq, and the Battle of Panjwaii.

Railway/Railroad Gun
The Railroad gun was used in both World Wars, mostly in Germany. The idea for the cannon was first approached in the United Kingdoms in the 1860s, by  Mr. Anderson, but the idea did not really come around until the 1900s. The cannon was used as a way to counter a northern attack on the Confederate capital, Richmond VA. Ammunition was a form of small tungsten missiles that were lightweight and easy to transport. 

Economic Impact
The building of these cannons did not only contribute to the fighting involved, they also contributed to the nation, economically. The building of cannons had given many people jobs. They were also a way to create economic stability. With the production of cannons, it took money,but it also gained money in return. in the past war was usually a way to conquer land and/or money. 

Social Impact 
Even though cannons helped protect people, it also helped promote violence. They had caused the power of many military's increase. They found it a easy go to to fight. The stronger the force the easier it would be to conquer ad win. Cannons have been used throughout history and probably still will be. Cannons can be used to ways, to hurt and support a nation.