boer war: post war Flashcards
Describe the main proposals of the Esher Committee regarding the British Army.
The Esher Committee proposed a clean sweep of the War Office, the replacement of the Commander-in-chief with an Inspector-general, and the creation of an Army Council. It also suggested that the Committee for Imperial Defence, established in 1902, should be the center of defense planning
How did Arnold-Foster aim to address the recruitment crisis in the British Army?
Arnold-Foster aimed to address the recruitment crisis by ending the Cardwell system, dividing the Army into a home defense force with 30 battalions for short-term service of 3 years and an overseas force with 112 battalions for long-term service of 9 years, and economizing by reducing volunteers and halving the militia.
What was the significance of the Entente Cordiale in relation to the British military strategy?
The Entente Cordiale, established in 1904, was significant as it represented a diplomatic alliance with France, which influenced British military strategy by highlighting the naval threat from Germany and leading to discussions on reinforcing the French left flank.
Define the role of the National Service League founded in 1902
The National Service League, founded in 1902, aimed to promote the idea of conscription in Britain, advocating for a more robust military response to perceived threats, particularly from Germany, despite reluctance from MPs to support conscription
How did Haldane’s reforms differ from Arnold-Foster’s proposals?
Haldane’s reforms focused on reducing military expenditure from Arnold-Foster’s draft estimates, establishing a two-line Army with an Expeditionary Force and a Territorial Force, and restoring the Cardwell System, which aimed for a better balance of troops at home and abroad.
What was the intended purpose of the Expeditionary Force under Haldane’s reforms?
The Expeditionary Force, envisioned by Haldane, was intended to be a general-purpose military unit, but it was assumed in practice that it would primarily be used against Germany.
Explain the challenges faced by the British government regarding conscription in the early 20th century.
The British government faced challenges in supporting conscription due to reluctance from MPs, despite widespread conscription on the Continent, and the growing membership of the National Service League, which highlighted the need for a stronger military response.
What changes did Haldane implement to the distribution of battalions in the British Army?
Haldane implemented changes that reduced the number of battalions abroad from 85 to 74, while ensuring a better balance between troops stationed at home and those deployed overseas
Describe the significance of the Territorial and Reserve Forces Act of 1907.
The Territorial and Reserve Forces Act of 1907 was significant as it established a reserve force that could be mobilized in times of war, improving upon the previous volunteer force, despite initial skepticism.
How did the Officer Training Corps (OTC) evolve in 1908?
The Officer Training Corps was consolidated from existing cadet corps in public schools in 1908, providing structured military training relevant for the First World War.
Define the ‘two power’ standard ratio in naval terms
The ‘two power’ standard ratio in naval policy introduced in 1889 that required the Royal Navy to maintain a fleet as strong as the next two largest navies combined
What were the main technological developments in naval warfare after the Boer war?
The two main technological developments were the introduction of submarines and the design of the dreadnought battleship, which significantly changed naval warfare dynamics
How did admiral Jackie fisher attempt to reform the Royal Navy?
Admiral Jackie Fisher aimed to reform the Royal Navy by overhauling the fleet reserve, advocating for a meritocracy, and introducing new ship designs like the battlecruisers
Explain the concept of a battlecruiser as envisioned by admiral fisher
A battlecruiser was envisioned by admiral fisher as a new type of ship that combined the firepower of a battleship with the speed of a cruiser
What was the impact of dreadnought on the Anglo-German naval race?
HMS dreadnought, launched in 1906, was faster and better armed than previous ships, escalating tensions in the Anglo-German Naval race as Germany sought to match Britains naval superiority
Discuss the limitations of the Selbourne scheme in naval training
The Selbourne scheme aimed for a meritocractic training system in the Royal Navy but faced limited success,as it struggled to implement effective training reforms
Describe the demand made by admiralty in 1909 regarding the dreadnoughts
The admiralty demanded the construction of six new dreadnoughts
Explain the political context surrounding the admiralty’s demand for new dreadnoughts
The liberal government was focused on social expenditure, which created tension with the Navy league’s pressure for naval expansion.
What was the navy leagues stance on naval expansion in 1909?
The navy league insisted on a stronger naval presence, famously stating, we ‘want eight and we won’t wait’.
How did the naval expenditure compare to army expenditure in Britain by August 1914?
By August 1914, naval expenditure accounted for 64% while army expenditure was only 36%.
