Britain & The French Wars Flashcards
What were Britain and France competing for in the late 18th century?
Overseas colonies
Trade
Diplomatic influence in Europe
What 2 things did France do that was a threat to the British?
Aided the American rebels in the war of independence (1775-83)
The French Revolution- was seen as a regime that threatened European stability and order
What were the relative strengths of Britain at the beginning of the French Wars ?
2nd most urbanised country in Europe (after Netherlands)
Had a more modern economy
Fast-developing Industrial Revolution
A stable and sophisticated financial system
What did the sophisticated financial system mean for the British in the french wars?
They could finance military expenditure on a larger scale than the french
They could fund coalitions with allies like Austria,Prussia and Russia
Over the course of the french wars, how much money did the British give to allies?
50 million pounds
Gave Austrian, a key ally, a further 4.6 million
Why was the Navy important to the British?
It was vital to protect overseas territory in the empire and trade routes
Protecting the empire and also us as an island
What role did the British Navy play before the french wars?
Fought against France in the 7 years war 1756-63
Protected British maritime colonies like Canada
What was pre-revolutionary France like?
Creaking economy and were less well prepared
They still had a powerful navy, which proved capable of defeating the British in the American war of independence
What roles did the Royal Navy play in the french wars?
-Supported overseas campaigns e.g. peninsular war
-British ships blockaded french ports to strangle trade
-Fleets in home waters to protect Britain and Ireland from invasion
-British navy outnumbered the french
-At sea, Nelson proved an aggressive commander
What was the British Army like at the beginning of the French wars?
In a poor state
Low morale from being defeated in America
Smaller than the french army
How did the number of soldiers in the British army change between the start of the French wars and Waterloo?
40’000 to 250’000
Compare the size of the British army to the french
French superior in numbers
Even after grand army disaster in Russia, by 1813, Napoleon could still muster almost 1 million men for peninsular war against a joint British-Portuguese force of just over 100’000
How was the home front in britain affected by the french wars?
Cotton exports rose, even to France- making uniform
Income tax was imposed to help the war so the prices of food rose as did unemployment
What was the agricultural sector line at the beginning of the french wars?
Farmer sold home-grown wheat at high prices which led to protectionist corn laws in 1815
The agricultural sector was modernised in the agrarian revolution in the 1700s
What were the french textile and agricultural sectors like compared to the British at the beginning of the french wars?
Technology not as advanced in France- fewer ‘spinning jennies’ and cotton was imported from britain
Agricultural sector was not as modern
