What the heck with Minor Powers uniforms in late 19 century???!!!

[Fjodin]

While brorsing this HUGE uniform collection http://digitalgallery.nypl.org/nypldigital/dgtitle_tree.cfm?title_id=269277&level=1&word=&s=1&notword=&d=&c=&f=&k=0&lWord=&lField=&sScope=&sLevel=&sLabel=&imgs=20&snum=0  I found an interesting thing. Most of uniforms of minor powers (and some Major Powers) in late 19th was... same or VERY similar.
Lets have a look at line infantryman in 1860-1890




Belgium



Austria after Austro Prussian War




Mexico



Denmark


Norway and Sweden, 1866-87.


Netherlands

I mean - they all wear blue with minor differences. If there are war between them... how can they distinguish who is enemy and who is ally?

[Doc Twilight]

The uniforms of the time were, like all military uniforms, inspired by the most famous (or infamous) military units of the day. In this case, the period you are speaking of tended to follow a trend that patterned itself after uniforms worn by the French in 1859, as well as the Prussians of 1866 and 1871, and the Hungarian Rebels of 1848-1849. (The so-called "Hussar Braid" that turns up on many uniforms of the era is Hungarian, the Kepi French and Hungarian, the Belgic Shako a French/British design, etc.) This is the same reason that virtually every minor German state had one variation or another of the Pickelhaube (with the notable exception of Bavaria, which preferred a Raupenhelm, and of Hanover, which used a Belgic style Shako, in mimicry of the French and British.)

In short, these are simply what were "trendy" at the time. Uniform fashions come and go, just as they have for centuries.

For an extreme version of this, have a look at the various units formed during the American Civil War, particularly in the early war period from about 1861-1862. You have Zouaves, inspired by France; Kepis, short coats, and Hussar braids inspired by the Hungarians; dress uniforms inspired by the British and French; and plenty of state units drawing all kinds of interesting ideas from European powers. (One unit wore Tyrolean style hats, another preferred Turbans; there was a unit in Mississippi issued with red coats and uniforms in mimicry of the British; another in Kentucky was dressed not unlike Russian Grenadier Guards.)

How did they tell each other apart? Usually flags helped. So too did language. There were problems, however. Due to the extreme similarity of uniforms in 1866, various belligerent powers issued colored armbands to denote the allegiance of their soldiers to either the Prussian or Federal side of the conflict. This seems to have helped somewhat. (It's certainly difficult enough to tell the difference between a Hessian and a Prussian via uniform plates alone - I imagine it was similarly confusing at a distance, especially when one speaks the same language.)

-Doc

[answer_is_42]

Look at uniforms today! What's the difference between an American, German, British, Spanish, Brazilian etc infantryman in terms of uniform?
In war, just like all other walks of life, fashions come and go.

[Dewbakuk]

Look at uniforms today! What's the difference between an American, German, British, Spanish, Brazilian etc infantryman in terms of uniform?
In war, just like all other walks of life, fashions come and go.

Camo patterns

[Fjodin]

Imagine the war between these 2 countries. There will be a lot of friendly fire. Does someone played in ARMA 2? Sometimes its different to tell whi is friend and who not.

[argsilverson]

Doc what an essay!
very good and true.

Plus:
.- minor countries of the era usually attract foreign aid, incl. funds and training advisors. Therefore usually they have bought quantities of various military goods and sometimes uniforms or part of them.  The training officers also tended to introduce elements of their own uniforms in their newly trained armies.
,- most of the countries had special arrangments with the major parties (or in the case of royalties - family ties), and thus they change the design of the uniforms to prove their close resemblance.
.- blue was the dominant colour towards the end of 19th century. Is a dark colour and dirt doesnot show much. On the other hand artificial blue blueish dyes were invented and are available very easily.

as a good historical example is about greece, which was a small new nation.
Otto (of bavaria) introduced bavarian styled blue uniforms, by 1862 when George I arrived in Greece as king changed the cut to be similar to Danish style. Again blue coats but with light blue pants. Due to the call of french advisors the style became more and more french (hence the kepi).
In 1923 the army was almost french looking with adrian helmet (used till the early WWII), kepi and riding breeches for officers.
Same year the newly formed police corps, trained by the british, wear dark or light gray uniforms-depending on the season- of 100% pure british police uniforms. The dark gray peak cap was of british style, too.
Cretan gendarmerie was trained by the italians and follow the colours of the italian carabinieri 9dark blue with red piping and silver ornaments.
The greek gendarmerie followed the french style and in olive green
the gendarmerie of Samos were evzones uniform in blue