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Unfortunately, I don't have any sources to back this up, only this anecdote from attending US elementary school during late 90s and middle school during the ear
by 1MachineElf 5y ago
Unfortunately, I don't have any sources to back this up, only this anecdote from attending US elementary school during late 90s and middle school during the early 2000s. Teachers told us that during the age of muskets at least there were often crowds of civilian spectators on the sidelines during various western-European and American battles up until WW1. I suppose the emergence of chemical weapons and other 20th century WMDs had a big role in curbing that. If it's true, then it's a small parallel to what we have now.
- jacquesm 5y agoAnd projectile weapons. The chances of being hit by a broadsword from 50 meters are a lot lower than a stray bullet.
- ethbr0 5y agoThe First Battle of Bull Run / Manassas Junction in the American Civil War is infamous for the spectators that came down from Washington, DC and clogged the Union forces' path of retreat when they were routed.
- simonh 5y agoIt’s really just long range weapons. When most weapons had an accurate range of only a hundred metres or two, and masses of troop moved at walking pace, you could spectate relatively safely from a distance. However conflict tourism is still a thing even today.