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Cavalry facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

Historically, cavalry were soldiers who fought battles while riding horses. These brave riders were a very important part of armies for thousands of years. In modern times, the word "cavalry" often means the fast-moving part of the military, even if they don't use horses anymore. It's like the opposite of infantry, who are soldiers who fight on foot.

An Eastern Han glazed ceramic statue of a horse with bridle and halter headgear, from Sichuan, late 2nd century to early 3rd century AD

Soldiers have used horses in wars for a very long time, ever since people learned to ride them. Horses gave soldiers many advantages. Because horses are strong, cavalry soldiers could wear more armour and carry heavier weapons than soldiers on foot. Also, because horses are fast, cavalry could quickly move across the battlefield, attack enemies by surprise, or chase after them.

The Role of Cavalry Through History

Cavalry played a huge role in wars for thousands of years, from ancient times until the early 20th century.

Ancient Cavalry

In ancient times, cavalry was used for scouting, chasing enemies, and quick attacks. Early cavalry didn't always have saddles or stirrups, which made it harder to stay on the horse and fight. Over time, new inventions like the saddle and stirrups made cavalry much more effective. Famous ancient cavalry included the Mongol horse archers, who were incredibly skilled at shooting arrows while riding, and the Parthian cataphracts, who were heavily armored riders and horses.

Medieval Knights

During the Middle Ages, knights on horseback became a symbol of power and bravery. These knights wore heavy armor and used lances and swords. They were often the main attacking force in battles, charging into enemy lines. However, as new weapons like the longbow and pikes became more common, it became harder for cavalry to break through formations of foot soldiers.

Cavalry in the Age of Gunpowder

When gunpowder weapons like muskets and cannons appeared, the way wars were fought changed a lot. Cavalry still had a role, but it was different.

  • Dragoons were soldiers who could ride horses to get to a battle quickly, then dismount and fight on foot like infantry. They were very flexible.
  • Hussars were light cavalry, known for their speed and daring. They were often used for scouting, raiding, and chasing down fleeing enemies.
  • Lancers carried long spears called lances, which were very effective for charging into enemy lines.
  • Cuirassiers were heavy cavalry who wore metal breastplates (cuirasses) for protection and were used for powerful charges.

Even with guns, cavalry charges could be very effective, especially against disorganized enemies or to break through enemy lines. Famous examples include the charges during the Napoleonic Wars.

The Decline of Horse Cavalry

By the late 19th and early 20th centuries, new technologies started to make horse cavalry less important.

  • Machine guns could easily mow down charging horses and riders.
  • Barbed wire could stop cavalry charges.
  • Tanks and armored cars could do many of the jobs of cavalry, but with much more protection and firepower.

During World War I, horse cavalry was still used at the beginning, but it quickly became clear that they couldn't survive on the modern battlefield against trenches and machine guns. By World War II, most armies had replaced their horse cavalry with motorized (vehicle-based) units.

Modern Cavalry

Today, very few armies use horses for fighting in battles. However, the term "cavalry" is still used for fast-moving military units. These modern cavalry units use vehicles like tanks, armored personnel carriers, and even helicopters to move quickly and perform tasks like scouting, reconnaissance (finding out about the enemy), and rapid attacks. For example, the United States Army has "cavalry" units that use tanks and other armored vehicles. Some armies still use horses for ceremonial duties, like parades, or for special tasks in difficult terrain where vehicles can't go.

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See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Caballería para niños

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