Whenever I think of the time long before modern communication technology, I wonder how nations and empires managed their communication.
For example: In the Caribbeans of the 16th to 18th century, ships were the only possibility to bring news from and to the old world. I think this usually took several weeks. So, if two nations declared war, how did their military forces learn of that so they could take appropriate measures and act as supposed to do... And did it happen that they attacked ships or towns where they thought that they are still in war, although there was already peace?
PS: My apologizes for any errors (I'm not English native speaker).
2007-06-08 04:55:17 · 3 answers · asked by Anastasios H 2 in Politics & Government ➔ Military
They had to wait for news to arrive by ship. There is actually an interesting story in American history that illustrates what a problem this was. The Battle of New Orleans between Britain and the United States was fought AFTER the peace treaty was signed. Battle ended up being meaningless, except as as symbol for Andrew Jackson to ride on his way to the presidency.
2007-06-08 05:19:36 · answer #1 · answered by Mr. Taco 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, there are numerous times when news of a settlement did not reach other terratories in time to stop fighting that could have been avoided if communication was faster. But thats just how it was back then. No better way to spread the news.
2007-06-08 05:01:43 · answer #2 · answered by booman17 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you are right. communication was only as fast as the quickest method of carrying news from one spot to another...hard to grok in our world today, when if someone in china farts, the whole world can smell it -- if so inclined.
example: the famous Battle of New Orleans in the War of 1812...happened AFTER an end to the war...but the fighters on neither side knew it.
2007-06-08 05:05:17 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋