The synergy of the French Revolution and the leadership of Napoleon Bonaparte caused this RMA.

Several changes in military tactics, organization and technology – as well as political and social aspects of warfare – occurred from the late 18th Century to the early 19th Century that constitute a revolution in military affairs (RMA). These changes were gradual but nearly constant over a period of roughly 160 years. The late 18th Century through the early 20th Century was a period of astounding change in politics, economics, culture and warfare. This evolutionary period is important to modern warfare because many of its effects on warfare have endured well into the 21st Century. The evolution culminated with World War I, which was the first fully industrialized total war on a global scale. This evolution began with Frederick II of Prussia and his establishment of the canton system that effectively marked the beginning of standing, trained militias. During this period, warfare transformed from relatively small-scale limited warfare fought by poorly trained conscripts and a handful of mercenaries to global, fully industrialized total war.

Napoleon Bonaparte participated in an important evolutionary period in modern warfare that occurred from about 1760 to 1914.