3.1 - Wars of Empire 1756-1902 Flashcards
What were the causes for the 7 Years war? (3)
Britain and France = enemies.
Britain wanted to stop France becoming too powerful whilst France saw Britain as a threat to its own ambitions.
Both believed best way to improve strength was to expand through colonies.
Why did Britain win the 7 Yeats war?
Paid its ally Prussia to send soldiers to stand against the French next to their own. = Won victory at Minden in 1759.
Destroyed French power in Canada and most of North America.
Navy had 105 large warships, France only had 70. = Captured most of Frances colonies in Caribbean.
How did the 7 years war end?
With the Treaty of Paris in 1763 in which France and Spain returned everything they had conquered from Britain.
British and Indian allies won a victory at Plassey in 1757 which drove the French out of India.
What were the ST impacts of the 7 years war?
Recruitment – Navy impressed men into service and ‘press gangs’ were sent out to round up suitable men. Army used financial incentives and appeals to patriotism to recruit young men.
Higher taxes – Government covered costs by borrowing money = huge rise in national debt so put taxes on goods i.e tea and sugar.
What were the LT impacts of the 7 years war?
Military success turned Britain into an imperial power.
However this was expensive so navy and army were reduced after war but still remained larger than before and stationed across several continents.
What were the trade and industry impacts of the 7 years war?
Britain dominated global trade
Had access to the riches of India, provided them with huge manpower and Indian troops became the backbone of many British campaigns.
Control of the Atlantic, Caribbean and North America gave Britain control of the trans-Atlantic slave trade as well as the tobacco and cotton trades.
All this trade worked well with Britain’s Industrial Revolution.
How did media play a role in the 7 years war?
Newspapers and journals supported the war which helped mobilise positive public opinion though stories of popular heroes, such as, James Wolfe who commanded the British forces at Quebec.
What happened in the war of American independence?
Britain’s American colonies rebelled against them.
France backed Americans.
Britains surrendered.
When and why did Britain surrender in the American Independence war?
1783
Military overstretched
Already fighting war with Netherlands.
What was the impact of the war of American independence on Britain?
Threatened to be economic disaster as it relied so heavily on Atlantic trade.
HOWEVER
Trade with colonies quickly recovered = economy recovered = Britain no longer had to pay for troops and ships to protect them
When was the French Revolution?
1789
Why was there a French Revolution in 1789?
American war cost more than they could afford = poverty rose.
What happened in the French Revolution in 1789?
Monarchy overthrown
Old government lost power
1793 - Britain, Prussia and Austria formed coalition against France to crush new government and reinstall old one. = War broke out which TORE Europe apart.
What was Britains military war effort like in the Wars with France 1792-1815?
Fought sea battles
Blocked French ports
Protected British merchant ships
British troops then became more involved, especially against Napoleons forces in in Spain and Portugal in 1808-14.
What happened in the 1st revolutionary war in 1792-1797?
Coalition invaded France
French introduced mass conscription - drove back coalition.
1795 - Napoleon Bonaparte led French forces to victory over Austrian empire.
Austria surrendered and only Britain remained.
What happened in the 2nd revolutionary war in 1798-1802?
1798 - Britain, Austria and Russia formed new coalition.
Attacked and succeeded.
HOWEVER
1799 Napoleon ruled France as well as leading its armies = defeated enemies and forced them to sign treaty in 1802.
What happened in the 3rd Revolutionary (Napoleonic Wars) in 1803-1815?
7 coalitions vs Napoleon
Napoleon defeated most.
1812 Nap invaded Russia but overstretched forces and suffered.
Not until 1815 was he finally defeated at the Battle of Waterloo.
What was Britains economic war effort like in the Wars with France 1792-1815?
1806 - Napoleon introduced continental system (banned French territories from trading w/ Britain)
= Wanted to damage British trade.
BUT
Did more damage to Europe than it did Britain. For 3 years Britain flourished as it supplied new markets France couldn’t.
How did Britains war economy improve after the Napoleonic wars?
Farming improvements
Trade boom i.e Cotton textiles let export drive
Industrial growth i.e steam power began to replace water power = more effective
What was Britains attitude and response to the French Wars?
Generally supported by Britains ruling classes.
Had powerful propaganda campaign.
Newspapers and theatre encouraged patriotism by celebrating heroics of British forces.
= Effective and government disguised it well.
What was the impact of the French Was on the relationship between the British people and government?
High food prices =disturbances in 1794-95 = government worried about level of unrest so suspended the Habeas Corpus Act in 1794. (Meaning people couldn’t be imprisoned w/out a trial)
1799 Parliament passed combination acts designed to prevent revolutionary activity and made strikes illegal.
Who fought in the crimean war?
Alliance of Britain, France, Turkey and Sardinia against Russia
What was Britain’s attitude towards the Crimean War? (2)
Could easily afford
Didn’t need to recruit men as the war wasn’t as big as other wars
What was the impact of the crimean war on the government and people?
Government introduced sanitary commission - to improve hospital conditions
Military administration was reformed and you had to be qualified to be appointed to some posts in the Civil Service.
