c1700-c1900 Flashcards
Continuity and change in composition of the army
Continued:
The decline of cavalry continued now only 20% of the army
A permanent standing army of around 50000 men
Change:
the growth of the British Empire had meant more soldiers were needed
Government were more involved in organizing army size and finances
The change of warefare impacting on use of rifles and bullets
Improvements in science,technology and industry led to:
bullets being more aerodynamic so rifles had longer range
Loading of bullets easier and quicker
Increased reliability and uses in rifles
Made reloading 4 times quicker than with musket
Impact on warefare on development of field guns and heavy artillery
Field guns:
Designed by bronze to make them light and easy to transport and made firing easier
Heavy artillery:
Cannon with rifles barrels increased range from hundreds of meter to 5km reloading also became faster
Impact on warefare of industrialization in steam powered star sport and mass production of weapons
Steam powered transport:
Steam trains-supplies could be moved faster steam railways enables troops to 15 time faster than they did on foot
Steamships-had screw propellers sailed twice as fast as sailing ships
Mass production:
Metal production improved making plenty of iron and steel available made weapons more reliable
Recruitment of combatants
Colonel’s regiment:to avoid unrest officers were paid to set up and equip new regiments.Regiments were created as cheaply as possible to make profit
1757 Militia Act:men aged 18-50 were selected from every parish to serve I. The local militia for 5 years
Cardwells reforms in training and recruitment
1870 Army Act:Caldwell professionalises the army ensuring a constant supply of trained soldiers through:
After 12 years soldiers could revising or sign another 12 years plus a pension
Cardwells’1871 Regularisation of the Forces Act:reorganization of regiments into regions,with local barracks for accommodation
Improved training after 1850:
Military schools opened to train weapon instructors more offices came in meaning more experience
Impact of recruitment on civilians
As the size of army grew,towns and cities increasingly met problems,with large numbers of soldiers causing disturbances and distrusting trade
Impact of requisitioning and taxation on civilians
Requisitioning:
In 1700,army relied upon requisitioning wagons and animals from civilians for transportation.Ships were often requisitioned during wartime due to cost of building them
Taxation:
The cost of the army grew.As population and standard of living grew taxes increased impacting on civilians
Impact of newspaper reporting on civilians
more people were watching the news and the number of newspapers sold increased.As a result more information reached the public than before and boosted newspaper sales
Impact of war photography for civilians
Brought war to life for the British public and had a big impact on public opinion
Showed first hand the conditions soldiers encountered while serving their country
Impact of war on public attitudes for civilians
Attitudes in society:
Successes bred jingoism and imperialism some turned to pacifism
Boer war:
Concerns over quality of recruits due to army performance led to calls for change
Press:inspired public to make a contribution,donating time or equipment
The times:
Fund for sick and injured raised £5000 a week
Reasons for the outcome of Battle of Waterloo
Wellington won because:
the battlefield was well suited for his defensive tactics as it was only 3 miles across
He deployed his men behind a ridge to reduce damage done by enemy artillery
The role of the Duke of Wellington
He prepared to defend his position
Used squares for defenses,with cannons on the corners and infantry firing in rotation
