Chapter Six Flashcards
What war measures did Addington introduce?
Levee en Masse Act 1803, listing all men to be trained and ready to fight, introduced income tax to boost war funds, believed it was important to defeat Nap at sea so ordered cleanup of Navy Board, and blockade of French ports.
What was the timeline of Prime Ministers?
Pitt 1783-1800 Addington 1801-1803 Pitt 1803-1806 Grenville 1806-1807 Duke of Portland 1807-1809 Spencer Perceval 1809-1812
What was the status of Britain and France by 1812?
Not Addington, Pitt, Grenville, Portland or Perceval brought an end to the War, although it could be argued that each of them contributed. By 1812 Napoleon’s ambition was overstretching his resources and Britain was in a strong enough position to take advantage when the opportunity came.
How did Napoleon attempt to achieve victory over Britain?
1804 failed to invade Britain by sea so turned to economic warfare. Wanted to starve Britain into surrender.
What was Napoleon’s Berlin Decrees and how did Britain respond?
November 1806 Napoleon issued the Berlin Decrees, in which he forbase European trade with Britain.
Britain responded with the Orders in Council. All countries excluding British ships would be subjected to a British blockade.
How were Napoleon’s plans flawed?
In the Berlin Decrees he forbade European trade with Britain, but he had no control over Britain’s trade with the rest of the world. He was also harming French farmers by forbidding French wheat from entering Britain, thus during the harvest shortages of 1808-1810 he allowed the export of French wheat.
How did Pitt originally decide to pay for the War and what did this change to?
Originally decided to raise loans, but soon changed his mind and introduced income tax in 1798, which was made more efficient in 1803 and increased in 1805. By 1806, it was very successful, although it had taken a while. It was unpopular to the middle classes, but excluded the labouring classes.
How successful was the Sinking Fund during the War?
It was disastrous as the price of borrowing money had risen. National Debt rose to £876 million in 1815 and the interest was a burden on taxpayers.
What was the result of the War on industry?
Armament demand increased the demand for coal and iron. Factories, ironworks and coalmines all ordered Watt’s steam engine to improve the efficiency and speed of manufacture. Army and navy required uniforms, as did France and other European neighbours.
Why was there an economic crisis in 1810-11?
Due to the Orders in Council, leading the US to close its ports to British and French shipping, and merchants demanded for the Orders to be removed.
Due to the US closing its ports, what did the British merchants do?
Switched trading to newly emerging South American countries, eager for British goods. Boosted by instant success, manufacturers overproduced and within months faced economic collapse. Added to this, banks collapsed, harvests failed, there was a shortage of crash and an over-production of banknotes and inflation.
Who suffered as a result of the War?
Labouring classes, people on fixed incomes, the poor. Many were starving. Luddites started machine-breaking in 1811.
Who turned towards reform as a result of the War?
Businessmen, who feared their futures as a result of the Orders in Council.
What jobs suffered in the textiles industry?
Handworkers due to power looms and the high demand for uniforms and weapons which stimulated the development of more productive machinery. And hand knitters due to stocking knitting machines which could make stockings for the army quicker.
What happened in 1808
The Minimum Wage Bill was rejected, leading to rioting and unrest.
