Experimenting with life-lengthening elixirs around A.D. 850, Chinese alchemists instead discovered gunpowder. Their explosive 1._________(invent) would become the basis for almost every weapon used in war from that point on, from fiery arrows 2._________ rifles, cannons and grenades. Gunpowder made warfare all over the world very different, 3._________(affect) the way battles were fought and borders were drawn throughout the Middle Ages.

  Gunpowder somehow remained a monopoly of the Chinese until the 13th century, 4._________ the science was passed along the ancient silk trade route to Europe, where it became 5.________ deciding factor in many Middle Age skirmishes.

By 1350, rudimentary gunpowder cannons were commonplace in the English and French militaries, 6._________ used the technology against each other during the Hundred Years' War. The Ottoman Turks also 7._________(employ) gunpowder cannons with abandon during their successful siege of Constantinople in 1453. The 8._________(power) new weapon essentially rendered the traditional walled fortification of Europe, impregnable for centuries, weak and defenseless.

  During the Age of Exploration, Europeans used 9._________(gun) and cannons to expand their vast trade networks and powerful empires. Gunpowder would be taken all across the globe as Europeans used this powerful advantage 10._________(conquer) and enslave many in places like The Americas and Africa.