Navy - reasons for acquisition of key naval bases and how these changed 1763-1914 Flashcards
When was the British base at Minorca besieged?
1781
When did Britain lose Minorca to Spanish?
1782
When did Britain acquire the Falkland Islands?
1833
Where became a Royal Navy base in 1839?
Aden
When was Cyprus acquired for the Royal Navy ?
1878
Where is Gibraltar (which made it important)?
At narrow point between Britain and Africa so gateway to Mediterranean for Brits and obstacle for France moving ships between Med and Atlantic
Over what period was Gibraltar besieged?
1779-1783
Which country initially besieged Gibraltar in 1779 and why?
Spain, as they wanted it back (having been seized by Britain in 1704)
Why did blockade of Gibraltar fail?
three relief convoys managed to enter in 1780, 1781 and 1782 due to poor Spanish sailing skills and adverse winds
When did France join Spain in the siege of Gibraltar?
1782
How many soldiers defended Gibraltar during the Grand Assault?
5000
When was the Grand Assault on Gibraltar launched?
13 September 1782
How many floating batteries were launched in the Grand Assault against Gibraltar?
10 floating batteries
How did France secure Spain’s entry into the American War of Independence?
by supporting Spain’s reconquest of Minorca and Gibraltar under Treaty of Aranjuez
Ceylon was the main producer of what valuable spice?
cinnamon
Which ships were dispatched in 1794 to capture Ceylon?
HMS Suffolk, a ship of the line, accompanied by a frigate
What was the value of goods captured in Ceylon in 1782?
£300k
What was the political impetus for capture of Ceylon?
Netherlands conquered by France so Dutch royal family fled to England and were pressurised into ordering Dutch colonies to surrender to British forces for protection
Why was Cape Town of strategic importance?
location between Europe and East Indies meant naval fleet could prevent enemy shipping from sailing between Indian and Atlantic Oceans, cutting a major trading route
When did Britain occupy Cape Town?
1795-1802 (when returned to Dutch) and
1806-1814 (when again returned to Dutch)
How did Britain come to acquire Malta?
Locals rebelled against French garrison and asked Britain for help, Nelson blockaded Valletta in 1799 and French surrendered in 1800
What happened in 1837 that was the impetus for the acqusition of Aden in 1839?
British ship, the Duria Dowlat, ran aground in Aden and was plundered by locals, so British government wanted to make an example of what happened to those who challenged British dominance.
Who was sent to negotiate with the sultan of Aden?
Commander Stafford Haines
What was Haines original aim in Aden?
recompense for the outrage of the Duria Dowlat and use of a coal depot
What was the key part of a letter from the sultan of Aden to Haines and what did it lead to?
It said “you can then make houses or forts or do what you like; the town will then be yours” - context suggests it was just a negotiating position but used by Haines to claim a treaty for occupation had been agreed.
Who sent troops in 1938 to assist Haines in taking Aden and what did he send?
Farish, deputy governor of Bombay sent two frigates and 700 men.
When was Aden secured for British use?
1839
Why did Sir Robert Grant believe Aden should be taken over for the East India Company?
He was governor of Bombay and believed that pre-emptively seizing “places of strength” would protect India.
Was Aden particularly useful as a port for the first few years?
Not really - not at major trade route crossroads and no navy based there; slightly useful for coaling of mail steamers.
What changed that made Aden a useful port?
opening of Suez Canal meant it was on main shipping route from India to Europe
What did Prime Minister Disraeli do in 1875 that was popular with the public?
purchased shares in Suez Canal
What legislation did Disraeli pass in respect of Queen Victoria and why?
Gave her the title Empress of India to give her same rank as Russian emperor
Whose side was Disraeli on in the Russian-Turkish War in 1877 - Russians or Ottoman Empire - and why?
Ottoman Empire (despite their massacres of Balkan Nationalists) because he didn’t want Russians to take Constantinople, as this would give them open access to Med and ability to close Black See to British shipping
In 1877, how much did Disraeli persuade parliament to approve to prepare navy and army for war with Russia?
£6 million
When did Ottoman Empire surrender and what did they cede to Russia?
1878, ceding most of Balkans
What two key things happened at the 1878 congress in Berlin?
- Disraeli and the German chancellor, Bismarck, forced Russia to abandon some of its territorial gains to avoid war with Britain and Germany.
- Britain secured lease of Cyprus.
Give three reasons why acquisition of Cyprus in 1878 was important?
- base in the eastern Med from which Royal Navy could monitor and counter any further Russian expansion
- another port on route to India
- base to intervene in Egypt if necessary to protect stake in Suez Canal
Who held Cyprus before Britain?
Ottoman Empire
Why did Ottoman Empire agree to lease Cyprus to Britain?
They needed British support to reclaim at least some of their territory from Russia.
How much did Britain lease Cyprus for?
£92,799 per year
Who paid the lease for Cyprus?
inhabitants of Cyprus via taxes
Who received the rent for Cyprus?
It was sent to London to pay debts from the Crimean War that Ottoman Empire had defaulted on.
What did acquisition of Cyprus demonstrate to the world?
That British imperial policy not just about economics and trade routes but also about constraining the territorial ambitions of others
Which parties did Disraeli and Gladstone lead?
Disraeli - Conservatives
Gladstone - Liberals
What was the Mid-Lothian Campaign?
series of four speeches by Gladstone attacking Disraeli’s foreign policy, saying the government was financially incompetent and had engaged in unjustifiable wars
Who won the 1880 election?
Liberals / Gladstone
Why was Gladstone criticised in 1994 re the Royal Navy and what did the criticism lead to?
- criticised for reducing government spending on Royal Navy
- led to increase in spending, eg in 1884 spent extra £3.1m on warships and £2.4m on naval based and ordnance
What forced Gladstone to resign in 1885?
Defeat of British in Sudan
