20. These Medieval Rebels Were Revolutionary in Many Ways
The Hussites formed themselves into a large infantry force, and pioneered the extensive use of handheld gunpowder weapons such as muskets and hand cannons. They also adopted innovative tactics such as the use of war wagons in circular formations similar to those of American pioneers fighting off Plains Indians. Supplemented by trenches in front of the wagons, the Hussite army could quickly turn any grounds they occupied into a fort. From behind their defenses, the Hussites could beat back charges by armored knights, shooting them down with bullets or crossbows, before going on the counterattack and putting their foes to flight.
The Hussites maintained strict discipline. Between that, the new weapons, and creative tactics, they won a series of stunning victories under the leadership of Jan Zizka, until his death in 1424. The revolution finally ended in 1434, after the moderate Utraquist faction of the Hussites defeated the more radical Taborite faction. The Utraquists then negotiated a peace with the Catholic Church and the Kingdom of Bohemia, whereby they agreed to submit, in exchange for the right to practice Catholicism with a Hussite bent, and using modified rites.
