Which weapon significantly changed the nature of warfare in the late Middle Ages?

The introduction of cannons in the late Middle Ages marked a significant transformation in the nature of warfare. Cannons brought about a new approach to battlefield tactics and fortification design. Their ability to fire explosive projectiles created the capacity to breach castle walls and defensive structures that had been impenetrable using traditional siege weapons.

As cannons developed, they began to replace earlier infantry weapons such as crossbows and longbows, which were effective but lacked the destructive power and range of artillery. The presence of cannons also led to a shift in military strategy; armies began to focus on large-scale artillery pieces and gunpowder technology, which encouraged more open battlefield formations rather than tightly packed ranks that were vulnerable to cannon fire.

The impact of cannons extended to the political landscape as well, enabling states to maintain larger standing armies and increasing the emphasis on artillery in military planning. This innovation paved the way for modern warfare practices, illustrating the profound way cannons changed the dynamics of conflict during this period.