The rifle was an extremely effective advancement in military history. The rifle has been used for centuries because of its effectiveness, firing straight, accurate bullets due to the aerodynamics and physics of the bullet's spiral movement. What makes the rifle a rifle and much better than a musket is the fact that it has rifling all over the barrel of the weapon. Rifling is a system of spiral grooves in the surface of a barrel's bore causing a projectile to rotate when fired about its longest axis (Merriam-Webster). The rifle changed America by sparking long-range warfare, imposing a new American arms industry, and leading to the sniper rifle which now has many important uses such as protecting the White House. Infantrymen have used many different weapons throughout history, dating back to the beginning of time, from clubs and spears to bows, arrows and muskets. Weapon evolution has always focused on a way to kill your enemy at a greater distance than they are capable of killing you. An example of this evolution of firearms is the club which is short but powerful, the spear which is long and capable of being thrown, the bow, arrows and crossbow which can shoot from a distance accurately. Another evolution that shows short-range weapons evolving into longer-range weapons is the arquebus, musket, and rifle. This development was adopted by the United States during the American Revolution and, more extensively, during the Civil War. Early America was filled with wars and battles where weapons were very important, such as the American Revolution and the Civil War. The American soldiers who fought in the Revolutionary War showed us that you can win a war through passion and heart alone, but the soldiers of other American wars...... middle of paper ... ... That. 1943. 1943. Franklin D. Roosevelt Lib. Public domain photographs, 4079 Albany Post Road, Hyde Park, NY. Archival Research Catalog. Internet. February 22, 2010. .Valdes, Robert. “How Military Snipers Work.” How things work. Discovery and Web. February 25, 2010. .Wall, Bennett H and Richard Adler. “President Kennedy is assassinated.” Major events in history: the twentieth century, 1941-1970. Np: Salem, 2010. N. pag. History of Salem. Internet. February 25. 2010. .