Overview of British and French wars 1793-1815

Question 1

How do the English remember the Norman Conquest of 1066?

Answer 1

The last foreign invasion, producing an Anglo-French monarchy in England

Question 2

Until when did English monarchs hold territory in France?

Answer 2

16th century

Question 3

What was the relationship between England and France by the late 18th century and why?

Answer 3

They were rivals competing for colonies over seas and for trade and diplomatic influence in Europe

Question 4

After the French revolution of 1789, how did the government in Britain view the new French regime?

Answer 4

As a threat to European stability and social order

Question 5

What was France’s population in comparison to Britain’s?

Answer 5

roughly twice that of Britains

Question 6

What was Britain second in, after the Netherlands in Europe?

Answer 6

Second most urbanised with a modern economy and fast developing industrial revolution transforming manufacturing and working life

Question 7

What did Britain have to back a war effort?

Answer 7

A relatively sophisticated financial system

Question 8

How could the British treasury finance military expenditure on a far larger scale than the French?

Answer 8

By managing national debt through borrowing and selling government stocks through the Bank of England

Question 9

Government stocks

Answer 9

A bond sold by the government to offset its national debts; regarded as a safe investment

Question 10

What did the introduction of income tax in 1798 help to do?

Answer 10

Finance the cost of war

Question 11

What did Britains financial strength enable it to fund other than war?

Answer 11

Coalitions with allies such as Austria, Prussia and Russia

Question 12

Over the course of the French Wars what did Britain give to its allies?

Answer 12

£50 million and Austria a further £4.6 million

Question 13

Before the French wars what did Britains financial strength fund?

Answer 13

The Royal Navy in conflicts such as the Seven Years War won against France

Question 14

What did the navy protect?

Answer 14

Britain’s maritime trade and colonies, including Canada.
Naval supremacy was vital to protect overseas territories and trade routes

Question 15

What did the Navy do in the French wars?

Answer 15

Supported overseas campaigns, such as those in India and the Peninsular War. Blockaded French ports and British commerce on high seas. Defended Britain in home waters from invasion

Question 16

Which two small raids by France failed?

Answer 16

Ireland, 1796 and Wales, 1797 (Battle of Fishguard)

Question 17

What was the state of the British army before the French Wars?

Answer 17

A poor state, defeated in America and low in morale.

Question 18

How did the British Army’s strength grow by Waterloo in 1815?

Answer 18

From 40,000 to 250,000 men
Still smaller than the conscript French Army

Question 19

How did the French Wars impact the British economy?

Answer 19

Industry grew in several key sectors such as coal, iron and textiles. Trade embargoes imposed by Napoleon as part of the Continental System were unsuccessful and smuggling was rife. Cotten exports rose even to France.

Question 20

How was industry technologically backwards in France?

Answer 20

They had far fewer spinning jennies (spun cotton yarn) in the 1790s and only a few hundred machines compared with the thousands in British textile mills. British factories were even supplying the French with cloth for uniforms

Question 21

How did war negatively impact the British economy?

Answer 21

First ever income tax introduced and food prices rose with unemployment, with many jobless men joining the army.

Question 22

Why did the government change the way poor relief was administered during the French Wars?

Answer 22

To alleviate poverty in order to prevent the disorder the government feared, cracking down on workers efforts to form trade unions.

Question 23

What did the reliance of farmers on high prices lead to during the French wars?

Answer 23

protectionist Corn Laws of 1815, banning cheaper imports

Question 24

How had Britain’s agricultural sector been modernised and what impact did this have on the country during war?

Answer 24

Modernised by its Agrarian revolution in the 1700s and home food production was sufficient to prevent mass starvation or food riots.