Impact of Crimea War - Government and Politics

Question 1

When did Palmerston become MP?

Answer 1

• Early 1855 - he was a Whig
• Palmerston was understanding, forward thinking, good with the press and a good orator
• He enjoyed lots of public support but not from the Peelites in Parliament

Question 2

Who replaced the Duke of Newcastle as War Secretary under Palmerston?

Answer 2

• Lord Panmure

Question 3

When did much of Palmerstons cabinet resign and why?

Answer 3

• They resigned a month into his leadership
• Under the notion that Palmerston not vetoing war enquiry

Question 4

What was the result of Lord Panmure sending Simpson to report on Raglan?

Answer 4

• Simpson reported positively about Raglan
• This is because much of Army reform began to take place by now

Question 5

What changes did Palmerston make to the war effort?

Answer 5

• The Sanitary Commission to improve conditions in Crimea and Scutari
• Set up a transport department to improve army logistics
• Sacked inefficient civil servants and curbed bureaucracy
• The War Office took over the management of colonies and the commissariat
• Ordnance Board abolished and its responsibilities taken over by the War Secretary

Question 6

What did the Northcote-Trevelyan report suggest?

Answer 6

• In 1853 suggested that the Civil Service should become a meritocracy enforced by examination
• This was furthered by the Administrative Reform Act of 1855 which wanted the CS ran like a business
• A Civil Service Commission was appointed but many departments had their own entry requirements and led the aristocracy having significant power

Question 7

Where did Palmerston believe the issue was? (He did not believe it was the Civil Service)

Answer 7

• Believed the problem lay with other classes
• He believed it was the Medical and Transport departments, who ere full of other classes

Question 8

When was Gladstone chancellor and how did he fund the war?

Answer 8

October 1854
- Gladstone believed in reducing tax but actually increased it
- Income tax was doubled, stamp duty and duties on spirits and sugar rose
- He sold Government Bonds to fund the war

Question 9

Who replaced Gladstone as Chancellor and how did he fund the war?

Answer 9

1855 Cornewall Lewis replaced Gladstone as Chancellor
- Reduced taxation and increased borrowing
- Didn’t give a shit about balancing the budget

Question 10

Did the Government struggle to fund the Crimean War?

Answer 10

• Had little impact on the economy
• By the late 1800’s the UK produced over half of the worlds coal iron and steel

Question 11

Did the political situation improve overall by the end of Crimea?

Answer 11

• Failure of administration led to the simplification of bureaucracy departments under one War Office
• Various commissions passed through the government removed ‘middle men’ and provided modern warfare with more efficient soldiers and supplies
• Removal od inefficient administrators improved the quality of Gov offices
• Reforms in the CS were only partially taken on, but still increased competition in recruitment and promotions
• War led to the resignation of Aberdeen and put a more progressive politician (Palmerston in power)