Quote by George Orwell

It is a commonplace that the history of civilisation is largely the history of weapons. In particular, the connection between the discovery of gunpowder and the overthrow of feudalism by the bourgeoisie has been pointed out over and over again. And though I have no doubt exceptions can be brought forward, I think the following rule would be found to be generally true that ages in which the dominant weapon is expensive or difficult to make will be ages of despotism, whereas when the dominant weapon is cheap and simple, the common people have a chance. Thus, for example, tanks, battleships and bombing planes are inherently tyrannical weapons, while rifles, muskets, longbows and handgrenades are inherently democratic weapons. A complex weapon makes the strong stronger, while a simple weapon so long as there is no answer to it gives claws to the weak.

Summary

This quote highlights the role of weapons in shaping the course of human history. It suggests that the history of civilisation is closely intertwined with advancements in weaponry. The quote specifically discusses how the discovery of gunpowder and its subsequent usage contributed to the downfall of feudalism and the rise of the bourgeoisie. The quote also suggests a correlation between the cost and simplicity of weapons and the distribution of power. Expensive and complex weapons, like tanks and battleships, are seen as tools of despotism, favoring those with more resources, whereas simple and inexpensive weapons, like rifles and hand grenades, are believed to provide a chance for the common people to stand against stronger opponents.