Britain and the French wars Flashcards
what was the royal navy’s role in the French Wars
supported overseas campaigns
British ships blockaded French ports to stop trade and protect British commerce
Fleet protected home waters, although never really a threat due to harsh British waters
Outnumbered French navy and deployed ships and manpower in the Mediterranean
Role of Horatio Nelson as fierce commander winning battle of Trafalgar in 1805
What was the disadvantage the British had on Land?
40,000 rose to 250,000 in waterloo but still smaller than French army but was willing to fight smaller campaigns e.g. Peninsular war
By 1813, Napoleon could still muster almost 1 million men for Peninsular war even after loss of men during Russian campaign against an British/Portuguese army of around 100,000
where and How did Britain win the French Wars
as Napoleon left army to inexperienced generals who were outmatched by Wellington and the coalition of Russian’s, Prussian’s and the Austrians, and Wellington lead them to victory at the battle of waterloo in 1815
what impact did the French Wars have on the British economy
British industry grew in coal, Iron and steel x4 and textiles, annually 6% per year.
Smuggling rose due to failure of trade embargos on France
cotton exportation grew, British factories actually supplied French with uniform
Income tax introduced to fund war, 21 goods and services newly taxed, additional 12 million pounds raised in gov revenue between 1793 and 1815
Food prices rose and unemployment rose
farmers sold wheat at high prices and their reliance on the prices lead to the corn laws of 1815 banning cheap imports
canals, reduced cost of trainspotting bulky goods grand junction canal joined midlands to London started in 1795
Trade, large proportion of govt income via customs duties, over seas trade. cotton textiles led export drive x6 greater by end of war. despite continental system by napoleon new markets in south America and Caribbean. but declined between 1810 and 1812 due to poor harvest but after defeat in Russia continental system collapsed
East India trading company, exported high quantities of goods to India, brought back materials e.g. saltpetre for gunpowder, transported troops abroad and paid high govt duties for tea
Military production government produced warships and weapons and gunpowder but dockyards lacked capacity to achieve increased levels of production that were required, private sector therefore profited via working on govt contracts to build more shops and more weapons than state
strengthened by war, manufacturing and mining thrived and new markets opened abroad
How did Wellingtons character help win the War
known for his attention to detail,
picking battle locations,
rear guard action (small force of soldiers held on while main army withdrew), positioned infantry on reverse slope of hill protecting from enemy fire and forcing French to run up hill then used infantry and bayonets and cavalry to advance
keen eye for slackers
believed army should be self sufficient being supplied using navy, secured supply lines from Lisbon whereas French had supplies lines through rugged terrain at risk of guerrilla intervention
always made sure men were fed and equipped.
never lost a battle
use of Iberian geography and local allies to advantage
great at banding together troops
How did peninsular war happen
After defeat at battle of Trafalgar, Napoleon went to Iberian Peninsula in 1807 moving into Portugal to prevent British Navy using Portugal’s ports.
As Napoleon incited patriotic uprising and subsequent guerrilla campaign due to making his brother king of Spain
Britain had opportunity to attack on land
when did Wellington arrive and what transpired?
1808, Wellington commanded a 15,000 army defeating French at Vimeiro only losing around 700 troops
he was superseded by Sire Hew Dalrymple who was dismissed after agreeing French soldiers could be sent home on British ships, enraged Wellington went home
1808 John Moore was new commander, but was invaded by 200,000 Napoleon army who crushed Moore’s Spanish force (great evaluation point)
1809 Wellington was given command
Wellingtons tactics helping him succeed
use of Iberian geography and local allies (Portuguese, Spanish and Spanish guerrillas
he maintained troops morale and readiness for battle as he choose is own battle ground
used rear guard action (small force held off pursing enemy while main army withdrew) instead of defeat
wellington dodged French strengths by positioning his infantry on the reverse slope of a hill so French had to run up hill and hill would protect from cannon fire
also secured lines of supply from Lisbon with Royal Navy support ad French had long supply lines
his tactics shown by failures and incompetence of past leaders such as Sir Hew Dalrymple and Sir harry Burrard agreeing French troops could be evacuated using French ships
Moore’s foray into Spain (Corunna) was checked by Napoleon which he was killed setting British back as returning troops demoralised and hungry
name the most important battles and key information in the French Wars
Talavera
Torres Vedras
Fuentes de Onoro
Battle of Trafalgar
importance of Talavera
20,000 strong army crossed Spain with 34,000 troops to attack French at Talavera
Spanish were bad had no discipline and terrible leader
27 June armies engaged, 2,000 Spanish troops deserted
British won by holding French columns at bay until French retreated
7300 French casualties British 5400 losing quarter of men but beating numerically larger army
after remained on defensive , allowing for training of troops to British standards
importance of Torres Vedres
Massens invaded Portugal in 1810 forcing wellington to retreat to Lisbon
to protect supply Wellington built fortification
with three defensive rings consisting of linked forts and earthworks covering passes through Lisbon
a second stronger line and a third which would protect British army if it was forced back to Lisbon and had to escape by sea
Massena thought the defences were too strong his ego led him not to retreat
once he retreated Massena was isolated and allies stopped him communicating with Spain
freeing Portugal from French control when attrition starved French troops he and he lost 20,000 to 30,000 men, ammunition and equipment
importance of Fuentes de Onoro
Massena re equip his army after initial invasion and advanced towards Almeida with over 48,000 men
allies repelled his attack at Fuentes de Onoro in may 1811
allied troops repelled a second attack days later holding the village
the lack of ammunition caused Massena to retreat
leading to Massena being replaced
wellingtons use of square formation self belief and discipline allowed him to win
Waterloo
18th of June 1815
wellington the nearest run thing you ever saw in your life
wellington had 68,000 men and 156 guns compared to Napoleons 72,000 men and 246 guns, if wellington could hold on Blucher and the Prussian army would help wellington
Napoleon was unwell unable to sit on horse, attacking uphill and ground was waterlogged delaying moving of troops and cannons
Napoleon took leave leaving Ney in command, Ney believed wellington was retreating and sent French cavalry on their own to pursue
allied infantry took square position decimating French horsemen
when napoleon return Prussian reinforcements were near
causing French army to disintegrate were many fled or surrendered
Nelson Role
important naval battles Nelson won
Battle of Nile 1798, found French fleet of 280 carrying 50,000 men, superior British gunnery devastated evenly matched French only two French ships escaped allowing royal navy to regain control of Mediterranean
Battle of Copenhagen,1801 Admiral parker sent deal with potential threat of Danish fleet, Nelson second in command was given task of leading attack sailing into narrow water lined with Danish warships gun batteries on rafters and shore fronts. Parker signalled Nelson to discontinue. Nelson ignored the signal and proceeded forcing Danish to agree to true, British sunk 3 ships and captured 12. also forced Denmark to leave continental system
Battle of Trafalgar, given command of fleet of Cadiz, 19th of October French commander Villeneuve left Cadiz avoiding lose blockade and travelling for Italy nelson allowed french to move as far away from cadiz as possible to prevent retreat. by dawn british detected.
British has 27 battleships, 17,000 men and 2,148 guns
French had 33 battle ships, 30,000 men and 2568 guns
they battled on 21st of October 1805, Nelson filed two divisions one led by himself on HMS victory (normally fought side by side) the other Collingwood the two columns shattered enemy line taking 18 battleships
Nelson was shot and died of his wound
