How Did Recuitment+training Change After 1850

Question 1

Was the crimean war a catalyst for change ?

Answer 1

Yes, although not immediately

Question 2

What did the royal commission find when sent to investigate ?
Supplies and soliders

Answer 2

A royal commission was sent to investigate mismanagement and recruitment problems, they found:
- mismanagement of supplies and resources and the failure to provide sufficient food in the winter of 1854
-the failure to recruit sufficient numbers of men to fight as the army was only 25k men

Question 3

What happened after these two discoveries ?

Answer 3

Resulted in growing pressure for reform in both recruitment and training however change was not immediate
This was mainly due to conservative vested interests within the military and parliament
Further to this Britain’s performance at Waterloo had encouraged complacency and a great belief in the Armies ability

Question 4

Was Prussia another catalyst for change ?

Answer 4

Yes, when reforms came it was less to do with the Crimean war and more about keeping up with Prussia as it was seen as an increasing political and military threat in Europe
Their army was large, organised, well trained and well equipped

Question 5

When where Carwells reforms give some information on them ?

Answer 5

Lord Carwell who was the war Minister 1868- 71 introduced a series of army reforms
They aimed to entice fe greater professionalisation within the army by reforming recruitment and promotions procedures

Question 6

What where the six reforms ?
Think: Purchase system, government, enlistment period, simplification, capital punishment, branding

Answer 6

• the abolishing of the purchase system, meaning rank was gained via merit
• increased government control over the military
• reduction of enlistment period from 21 years to 12 years divided into 6 active service and 6 reserve which encouraged more recruits
  -an end to boating if bounty money for recruits
• Simplification of the structure of the army with the creation of 66 local regimental districts, each one was to have two battalions
• the abolition of flogging as punishment during peacetime
• the abolition of branding as punishment even tho it was rarely used