The Experience of Warfare 1700-1900 Flashcards
Describe challenging recruitment problems between c1700-c1900.
Officers + promotion : quality of officers unreliable because commissions were linked to social status rather than merit. High ranks only given to nobility.
Other ranks : Involved short enlistments of 8-12 years or for life (around 21 years). Incentives included pay, bounties for life service and tavern recruitment.
Numbers + discipline : army still found it difficult to recruit enough men - criminals and debtors were let out of prison if they agreed to serve during wartime. Quality of recruits low + officers relied on hard disciplinary methods to keep control.
Describe some methods of recruitment utilised in the period between c1700-c1900.
- Colonels’ regiments : officers were paid to set up and equip new regiments. Regiments created as cheaply as possible in order to make profit.
- 1757 Militia Act : overhaul of the Assize of Arms, men aged 18-50 were selected from every parish to serve in the local militia for five years.
How was Cardwell appointed as Secretary of State for War?
In 1868, Gladstone’s government argued for army reform. Gladstone was prepared to pass laws and enforce modernisation.
So, Cardwell appointed, who forced through a series of reforms against strong opposition from the army.
Describe how Cardwell professionalised the army.
- With the 1870 Army Act - ensuring a constant supply of trained soldiers.
- Lower ranks enlisted for 12 years: six in the army and six as a reserve.
- Reserves paid a daily rate and retrained each year.
- After 12 years, soliders could resign or sign up for another 12 years plus a pension.
How did Cardwell introduce regularisation?
- 1871 Regularisation of the Forces Act reorganised regiments into regions, with local barracks for accomodation.
- Every regiment had two “linked” battalions - one serving at home and one abroad.
- Each regiment’s third battalion was made up of local militia.
- Additionally, rations were improved, and in 1881 branding and flogging abolished.
How was training improved after 1850?
- By 1860s, more officers came into the army via the Royal Military College (RMC).
- Artillery and engineering officers trained at Woolwich Royal Military Academy from 1741.
- The Senior Department of the RMC trained existing officers.
- In 1871, sale of commissions ended : promotion depended on merit alone.
- Military schools opened at Hythe and Shoeburyness to train weapon instructors.
What was the civilian experience of recruitment (c1700-c1900)?
- Conditions in army were poor at home and far worse abroad. For most of this period, the army was under strength due to lack of recruits + desertion.
- Pay less than that of a labourer, and had to pay for soldiers food, accomodation (in peace time) and equipment.
- Between 1700-1800, there was no army barracks for soldiers to stay in. This meant as the size of the army grew, towns and cities increasingly met problems (eg soldiers causing disturbances + disrupting trade).
- 1757 Militia Act deeply resented and provoked riots when rumours suggested that militiamen might have to serve abroad.
Describe how requisitioning and taxation effected the civilian experience of war.
- In 1700, the army relied upon requisitioning wagons and animals from civilians for transportation; it had no transport of its own. Ships were often requisitioned during wartime due to the cost of building them.
- Cost of army increased from about £1 million in 1700 to £8 million in the mid-18th century. However, the burden caused by the extra cost was relatively small as the population grew and the standard of living grew. In wartime, taxes rose considerably : wars against France (1793-1815) cost around £25 million a year.
Describe the impact of newspaper reporting.
- 1815 : Times sold 5000 copies a day; 1850 : risen to 40000 copies a day.
- William Russell sent short dispatches from the Crimea to London; it only took five hours compared to the 20 days by sea.
- Newspapers sent 300 journalists to the Boer War (1899-1902); as a result more information reached the public than ever before and in turn public interest boosted newspaper sales.
- Films showing reconstructions of the Boer War were shown in music halls - even those who couldn’t read could now follow the news.
Describe public attitudes during thie period.
Attitudes in society : successes bred jingoism and imperialism, some turned to pacifism.
Crimean War : public criticism of leadership in the press led government to resign.
Boer War : concerns over quality of recruits due to army performance led to calls for change.
The press inspired the public to make a contribution, donating time or equipment.
The Times fund for sick and wounded soldiers raised £5000 in a week (equivalent to £3 million today).
Describe developments in requisitioning during this period.
Requisitioning unpopular and impractical.
- In 1855, the Land Transport Corps was created to provide transport to the army.
- In 1888, the Army Service Corps took on the provision and transport of military supplies, with specially trained recruits.
What was the impact of war photography?
Photographs from the Crimean War (1853-56) brought war to life for the British public and had a big impact on public opinion. They showed first-hand the conditions of soldiers encountered while serving their country.
