Army and Navy reforms

Question 1

What are the similarities for reasons as to why reforms occurred?

Answer 1

1. propelled by the need for better-trained soldiers
2. introduced after a major loss that highlighted the weaknesses of the British army
3. worry that GB was becoming outdated

Question 2

When did the Duke of York reforms occur and after what campaign

Answer 2

• 1795
• he led the Flanders campaign (1793-95) and was defeated by the French

Question 3

Name three duke of york reforms

Answer 3

1. Sandhurst Royal Military College trained officers in 1801
2. created and trained the 95th regiment rifle brigade; they were given baker rifles and green uniforms
3. standard drills and manoeuvres were introduced

Question 4

Three reasons why the duke of york reforms were important

Answer 4

• helped create an effective fighting force that was successful in the peninsula wars
• Sandhurst remains
• he has a monument

Question 5

When did Cardwell’s reforms begin and why (3 reasons)

Answer 5

1868-74
- french war victory meant the army failed to modernise
- Crimean winter exposed army weaknesses
- 1866; Prussia’s easy 6 week victory over the Austrian Empire= threat of greater power

Question 6

name three cardwell reforms

Answer 6

• 1871; the purchasing of commissions is abolished
• 1871: Regulation of the forces Act abolished general service and linked men closer to their geographical area; no more than half time over seas
• 1870; Army enlistment act meant men could serve half of their 12 year term in the reserves

Question 7

three reasons why the cardwell reforms were important

Answer 7

1. altered the social structure of the army
2. altered the legal framework by which the army was managed
3. recruitment did improve in 1870

Question 8

three reasons why the cardwell reforms were not effective

Answer 8

1. only during a recession was soldiering an attractive career
2. wealth and private education meant officers were still mostly upper-class
3. regulations can be changed overnight but culture immersed in habit meant behaviour was the same

Question 9

when and why were Haldanes reforms

Answer 9

1905-12
- 2nd Boer War highlighted the weaknesses of the army
- germany was starting to challenge britains dominance
- medical care and technology needed to respond to their respective advancements

Question 10

What four changes were introduced by Haldane

Answer 10

1. officer training corps
2. British Expeditionary Force
3. Territorial Force
4. Imperial General Staff

Question 11

explain officer training corps

Answer 11

-Young boys and men taught how to become an officer
- 1914 saw 20000 boys and 5000 undergrads enrolled

Question 12

explain british expeditionary force

Answer 12

-fully professional and used for deployment overseas
-size limited by £28 million budget

Question 13

explain territorial force

Answer 13

-1907 territorial and reserve forces act
-merged the yeomanry units and militia; home defense with its own support services= fully independent
- sep 1913 saw only 236 000 men

Question 14

explain imperial general staff

Answer 14

-oversaw all strategic matters
-kept colonies as full members of the empire whilst maintaining their rights; colonies extremely useful during both wars

Question 15

2 reasons why haldanes reforms were important

Answer 15

1. focused on efficiency and strategy
2. centralised the military