Overview of British and French wars 1793-1815 Flashcards
How do the English remember the Norman Conquest of 1066?
The last foreign invasion, producing an Anglo-French monarchy in England
Until when did English monarchs hold territory in France?
16th century
What was the relationship between England and France by the late 18th century and why?
They were rivals competing for colonies over seas and for trade and diplomatic influence in Europe
After the French revolution of 1789, how did the government in Britain view the new French regime?
As a threat to European stability and social order
What was France’s population in comparison to Britain’s?
roughly twice that of Britains
What was Britain second in, after the Netherlands in Europe?
Second most urbanised with a modern economy and fast developing industrial revolution transforming manufacturing and working life
What did Britain have to back a war effort?
A relatively sophisticated financial system
How could the British treasury finance military expenditure on a far larger scale than the French?
By managing national debt through borrowing and selling government stocks through the Bank of England
Government stocks
A bond sold by the government to offset its national debts; regarded as a safe investment
What did the introduction of income tax in 1798 help to do?
Finance the cost of war
What did Britains financial strength enable it to fund other than war?
Coalitions with allies such as Austria, Prussia and Russia
Over the course of the French Wars what did Britain give to its allies?
£50 million and Austria a further £4.6 million
Before the French wars what did Britains financial strength fund?
The Royal Navy in conflicts such as the Seven Years War won against France
What did the navy protect?
Britain’s maritime trade and colonies, including Canada.
Naval supremacy was vital to protect overseas territories and trade routes
What did the Navy do in the French wars?
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
Which two small raids by France failed?
Ireland, 1796 and Wales, 1797 (Battle of Fishguard)
What was the state of the British army before the French Wars?
A poor state, defeated in America and low in morale.
How did the British Army’s strength grow by Waterloo in 1815?
From 40,000 to 250,000 men
Still smaller than the conscript French Army
How did the French Wars impact the British economy?
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.
How was industry technologically backwards in France?
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
How did war negatively impact the British economy?
First ever income tax introduced and food prices rose with unemployment, with many jobless men joining the army.
Why did the government change the way poor relief was administered during the French Wars?
To alleviate poverty in order to prevent the disorder the government feared, cracking down on workers efforts to form trade unions.
What did the reliance of farmers on high prices lead to during the French wars?
protectionist Corn Laws of 1815, banning cheaper imports
How had Britain’s agricultural sector been modernised and what impact did this have on the country during war?
Modernised by its Agrarian revolution in the 1700s and home food production was sufficient to prevent mass starvation or food riots.
