Interesting Quora - Why did Aztecs in the 1500's still not have metal---?

[pyotr filipivich]

[snip]

So the Aztecs (and other Mexica cultures) simply did not realize the
usefulness of decent bronze as weapons and armour material - the
invention was a novelty, and they already had obsidian, which is
incredibly sharp. They had some bronze axes, but they appear to have
been novelties. By the time of the Spanish conquest, a bronze-smelting
technology seemed to have been be nascent.

I suspect the reason is cost. In Europe in the Bronze Age, bronze swords
were very expensive. That is why most warriors, even nobles, used spears.

Another example of where technology drives tactics.

Hitler, once seeing on a map his lines unable to move from lack of
material, remarked that ultimately war is economics.

Truly this is an old problem: "Or what king, going out to
encounter another king in war, will not sit down first and deliberate
whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him
with twenty thousand? And if not, while the other is yet a great way
off, he sends a delegation and asks for terms of peace. " (Gospel of
Luke 14:31ff)

[SolomonW]

Post by pyotr filipivich
[snip]

So the Aztecs (and other Mexica cultures) simply did not realize the
usefulness of decent bronze as weapons and armour material - the
invention was a novelty, and they already had obsidian, which is
incredibly sharp. They had some bronze axes, but they appear to have
been novelties. By the time of the Spanish conquest, a bronze-smelting
technology seemed to have been be nascent.

I suspect the reason is cost. In Europe in the Bronze Age, bronze swords
were very expensive. That is why most warriors, even nobles, used spears.

Another example of where technology drives tactics.

Hitler, once seeing on a map his lines unable to move from lack of
material, remarked that ultimately war is economics.

Truly this is an old problem: "Or what king, going out to
encounter another king in war, will not sit down first and deliberate
whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him
with twenty thousand? And if not, while the other is yet a great way
off, he sends a delegation and asks for terms of peace. " (Gospel of
Luke 14:31ff)

In practice one hears far too often,

“If one Rebel can whip 10 Yankees, how many Yankees can two Rebels whip?"

'We have only to kick in the front door and the whole rotten edifice will
come tumbling down'

[pyotr filipivich]

Post by SolomonW

Post by pyotr filipivich
[snip]

So the Aztecs (and other Mexica cultures) simply did not realize the
usefulness of decent bronze as weapons and armour material - the
invention was a novelty, and they already had obsidian, which is
incredibly sharp. They had some bronze axes, but they appear to have
been novelties. By the time of the Spanish conquest, a bronze-smelting
technology seemed to have been be nascent.

I suspect the reason is cost. In Europe in the Bronze Age, bronze swords
were very expensive. That is why most warriors, even nobles, used spears.

Another example of where technology drives tactics.

Hitler, once seeing on a map his lines unable to move from lack of
material, remarked that ultimately war is economics.

Truly this is an old problem: "Or what king, going out to
encounter another king in war, will not sit down first and deliberate
whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him
with twenty thousand? And if not, while the other is yet a great way
off, he sends a delegation and asks for terms of peace. " (Gospel of
Luke 14:31ff)

In practice one hears far too often,
´If one Rebel can whip 10 Yankees, how many Yankees can two Rebels whip?"
'We have only to kick in the front door and the whole rotten edifice will
come tumbling down'

Ayup.

Another given is that wars are most often "stumbled into" when
there is an apparent equality of forces and one side assumes that
their superior morale / elan / ideology / brand of sausage will
overcome any other lack.
Or, the invaders are unaware of a "small minor detail" which is
not so small, minor or a detail. E.G. the effectiveness of the T-34,
the ability of the Chinese to field a large army in Korea without
UNKOR forces (I.e., MacArthur) knowing about it. Etc.