french wars - navy

Question 1

what were the french revolutionary wars?

Answer 1

a series of wars that ranged france against shifting coalitions of of other european powers and produced a brief french hegemony over most of europe

Question 2

What was the primary conflict involving the British Navy from 1793 to 1815?

Answer 2

The French Revolutionary Wars and the Napoleonic Wars.

Question 3

True or False: The British Navy was the dominant naval power during the French Wars.

Answer 3

True.

Question 4

Which battle in 1805 was a significant naval victory for the British?

Answer 4

The Battle of Trafalgar.

Question 5

Fill in the blank: The British Navy’s strategy during the French Wars primarily involved __________.

Answer 5

blockade and control of trade routes.

Question 6

What was the purpose of the British naval blockade against France?

Answer 6

To restrict French trade and weaken its economy.

Question 7

Who was the British Admiral known for his leadership during the Battle of Trafalgar?

Answer 7

Admiral Horatio Nelson.

Question 8

What was the significance of the Battle of the Nile in 1798?

Answer 8

It was a decisive British victory that destroyed the French fleet in Egypt.

Question 9

Multiple Choice: What year did the Napoleonic Wars officially begin?

Answer 9

1803.

Question 10

True or False: The British Navy used impressment to man its ships during the wars.

Answer 10

True.

Question 11

Name one technological advancement that improved the capabilities of the British Navy during this period.

Answer 11

The development of copper sheathing for ships.

Question 12

What was the role of privateers during the French Wars?

Answer 12

They were privately owned ships authorized to attack enemy vessels.

Question 13

Fill in the blank: The British Navy’s main rival during the French Wars was __________.

Answer 13

the French Navy.

Question 14

What was the outcome of the Battle of Copenhagen in 1801?

Answer 14

A British victory that established naval supremacy in the Baltic Sea.

Question 15

Short Answer: What was the impact of the British naval blockade on France?

Answer 15

It severely limited French trade and resources.

Question 16

Multiple Choice: Which treaty ended the Napoleonic Wars?

Answer 16

The Treaty of Paris (1815).

Question 17

True or False: The British Navy’s dominance was challenged by the rise of the United States Navy during this period.

Answer 17

False.

Question 18

What was the significance of the Battle of Cape St. Vincent in 1797?

Answer 18

It was a key victory that reaffirmed British naval power.

Question 19

Fill in the blank: The British Navy faced challenges from __________ during the French Wars.

Answer 19

the Spanish Navy and privateers.

Question 20

Who was the French General who became a major adversary of the British during the wars?

Answer 20

Napoleon Bonaparte.

Question 21

What was the primary goal of the British Navy during the French Wars?

Answer 21

To maintain naval supremacy and protect trade routes.

Question 22

Short Answer: How did the British Navy contribute to the eventual defeat of Napoleon?

Answer 22

By controlling the seas and disrupting French supply lines.

Question 23

Multiple Choice: What was the primary type of ship used by the British Navy during the French Wars?

Answer 23

The ship of the line.

Question 24

True or False: The British Navy relied heavily on conscription to man its ships.

Answer 24

False.

Question 25

What was one consequence of the British Navy's actions during the wars?

Answer 25

The expansion of the British Empire and its maritime dominance.

Question 26

What event occurred in Toulon in August 1793?

Answer 26

Admiral Hood and Admiral Juan de Langara seized Toulon, the main French naval base in the Mediterranean. ## Footnote This marked the beginning of a significant siege as the French attempted to regain control of the port.

Question 27

What was the significance of the Battle of the Glorious First of June, 1794?

Answer 27

It was the major naval engagement of the French Revolutionary Wars, where the Royal Navy blockaded French ports and engaged in battle with a French convoy. ## Footnote The battle resulted in significant French casualties and helped avert famine in France.

Question 28

Who took command of the Mediterranean fleet in 1795?

Answer 28

Sir John Jervis took over command and improved the fleet's condition. ## Footnote He built excellent relationships with officers, including Nelson.

Question 29

What was the outcome of the Battle of Cape St Vincent in 1797?

Answer 29

Jervis faced a larger Spanish fleet and achieved a decisive victory, capturing several ships and promoting Nelson to Rear Admiral. ## Footnote Jervis's tactics included cutting through the enemy line.

Question 30

What were the main demands during the Spithead Mutiny in April-May 1797?

Answer 30

The demands included improved pay and conditions, and better treatment of sailors. ## Footnote The mutiny was organized and peaceful, resembling a strike.

Question 31

What escalated the situation during the Nore Mutiny in May 1797?

Answer 31

Demands included a Royal Pardon for deserters and power of veto over officers, posing a threat to the blockade of the Dutch fleet. ## Footnote This mutiny involved a larger scale of rebellion compared to the Spithead Mutiny.

Question 32

What was the result of the Battle of Camperdown on 11 October 1797?

Answer 32

Admiral Lord Duncan's fleet defeated the Dutch fleet, capturing 11 ships without losing any British vessels. ## Footnote This victory helped restore the reputation of the British Navy after the mutinies.

Question 33

What was Napoleon's objective during the Battle of the Nile on 1 August 1798?

Answer 33

Napoleon aimed to constrict British trade routes and threaten India by sending a fleet to Egypt. ## Footnote The battle resulted in a significant defeat for the French, with their fleet largely destroyed.

Question 34

How did the Treaty of Amiens affect British naval operations in 1802?

Answer 34

It ended fighting between Britain and France, but preparations for war resumed in May 1803. ## Footnote The treaty temporarily halted hostilities, allowing for naval reforms and restructuring.

Question 35

What was the purpose of Admiral Sir Hyde Parker's mission to Copenhagen in 1801?

Answer 35

To force Denmark into concessions or destroy their fleet in response to the League of Armed Neutrality. ## Footnote Nelson played a crucial role in the attack, leading to the surrender of the Danish fleet.

Question 36

What were Napoleon's plans for Vice Admiral Pierre Charles Villeneuve in 1805?

Answer 36

To evade Nelson, lure him to the Atlantic, and unite with Spanish ships for an invasion of Britain. ## Footnote Villeneuve's fleet was initially successful in evading Nelson but ultimately failed to achieve its objectives.

Question 37

Fill-in-the-blank: The Battle of the Nile resulted in the British Royal Navy regaining control of the _______.

Answer 37

[Mediterranean]

Question 38

gunnery in the 18th century ( naval warfare)

Answer 38

- guns were heavy -they had 32 pound guns manned by 7 sailors for cannons -british seamen could unleash a broadside every minute -the speed of the guns determined the outcome of battle

Question 39

what were broadsides ?

Answer 39

the firing of all the guns on one side of a ship simultaneously

Question 40

what ships did the navy rely on?

Answer 40

ships of the line were the battleships and smaller frigates were used for scouting

Question 41

how did the navy use blockading?

Answer 41

a close blockade = where the main fleet sailed near to the enemy port an open blockade = main fleet is far away and frigates are patrolling the coast of the enemy port

Question 42

naval officers

Answer 42

- professional middle classes - well trained -from naval families

Question 43

naval crews

Answer 43

- there was a problem of recruitment, impressment was used to force seafarers to join the navy. britain also used a quota system where each county had to give volunteers - there were harsh conditions- poor pay, discipline and hard work

Question 44

who was william pitt the younger and what did he do with the comptroller of the navy?

Answer 44

he was the tory PM in the 1780s, he worked with rear admiral charles middleton to reform the navy.

Question 45

what naval reforms were there between 1783-93?

Answer 45

- dockyard supervision - coppered fleets - covering its hull to prevent damage - stocks of timber and rope built up - new docks at plymouth and portsmouth

Question 46

what gunnery reform was there from 1783-93?

Answer 46

- the carronade was developed , it fired rapidly, close range and destroyed french upper decks - the ordance board said that long range guns had to be checked 30 times -gunlocks replaced slowmatches - more efficient and safer , resulted in a faster broadside

Question 47

what was a gunlock?

Answer 47

the mechanism in some guns by which the charge is exploded- compared to a slowmatch which was a rope

Question 48

how did parliament help the war effort? - pitt

Answer 48

- pitt created all 3 coalitions, the 3rd in 1805 included austria and russia - large british subisidies held it together until 1797

Question 49

under the duke of portlands tory govt what happened?

Answer 49

-canning foreign sec and castlereagh sec of state for war had a duel and resigned 1809

Question 50

after portland died who was the PM and what did they do?

Answer 50

-perecval ensured that funds were provided for war - spain and portugal - political situation was unstable -1812 perceval assasinated

Question 51

why was government bureaucracy a major problem under lord liverpool ?

Answer 51

- complexity of war increased bureaucracy - patronage = inadequate skills

Question 52

when did financial and administrative reform begin?

Answer 52

after 1806 - the commission of naval revision and the commission of military inquiry exposed incompetence of the navy

Question 53

were the recommendations of reform to the army and navy adopted in 1812?

Answer 53

- younger and more able men rose to the top - stricter systems and accounting methods reduced corruption - created a better contract system - they could maintain and control quality

Question 54

how was the war financed by pitt?

Answer 54

- loans from the city of london - new taxes on 21 goods and services - 1799 graduated income tax = £155 m by 1815

Question 55

how did the city of london help finance the war?

Answer 55

the close relationship between govt and merchants gave access to worldwide markets +helped raise funds

Question 56

income in 1811

Answer 56

-£43 million spent on army . navy and ordance board - there was a spending deficit of £16 million -relying on loans

Question 57

was there finacial success overall?

Answer 57

from 1807 the govts of perceval ,portland and liverpool met the expenses of wellingtons army