Pitt's foreign policy - war Flashcards
What were the two main areas of Pitt’s management of the war years?
- Military strategy and leadership.
2. Pitt’s war finances.
What were the three main military strengths?
- The navy
- The Quote Acts
- Helping allies in coalitions
How was the navy a strength of Pitt’s?
Pitt had given Britain a major boost through his support of the navy during his time in charge. This naval strength and his reforms of the navy meant that it was in a position to win major victories such as the Battle of the Nile and the Battle of Trafalgar.
What was the Quote Act of 1795?
Pitt made sure that the navy remained stocked with men.
How did Pitt help his allies?
Pitt tried to help his allies in the First, Second and Third Coalitions through supplying resources and finance. However, the allies were often weak and unreliable.
What was wrong about Pitt’s wartime strategy?
Pitt underestimated the French and thought that war would not last. This underestimation affected his judgement and he did not change his strategy. He continued to use funds to support others rather than creating a large British army to fight France in major land campaigns.
What did Pitt do for the army?
Although he did a lot for the navy, he did very little to support the army. Therefore, Britain was unprepared in 1793 for a land war and this was the only way to defeat France, so Pitt’s decision to rely on the navy meant that Britain couldn’t win.
What did Pitt’s early miscalculation mean?
In the early years of the war, Pitt’s miscalculation to leave the majority of land fighting to Austria and Prussia meant that the Low Countries fell to France, giving France and early advantage.
What decision of Pitt’s limited his success?
Pitt’s decision to rely on allies to fight on land meant that France was unlikely to be defeated between 1793 and 1806. £9 million was spent on supporting the allies between 1793 and 1802 as it was cheaper than creating a British land army - this was mostly wasted.
What did Pitt fail to do with Russia?
Pitt failed to make a strong alliance with Russia in the Second Coalition. Russia’s role in the Second Coalition led to initial success in early 1799. However, a mutual distrust meant that Russia pulled out of the Second Coalition.
What led to tensions with Russia? What did this mean?
Pitt insisted on searching ships in the Baltic Sea which Russia objected to. Failure to improve relations with Russia weakened the effort against France.
What aspect of his nature limited Pitt’s success?
He was not prepared to take risks in strategy and was too indecisive. Dundas wanted to follow a policy that used the navy to damage French trade and protect Britain’s trade and empire. He thought coalitions were pointless and that Britain should focus on its own interests, and used the navies the major British military force while still sending off small forces to support the coalitions.
What was Pitt like as a war leader?
Pitt was not an inspirational war leader - his speeches were well-argued, but not passionate or inspiring.
How did Pitt’s reforms benefit his war effort?
Pitt’s financial and administrative reforms had created confidence in the economy. This meant the wealthy were prepared to lend the government money which was essential to continue the war with France.
How did Pitt use the war to expand the empire?
Pitt increased the empire and raised funds through naval operations. He used the war as an excuse to seize Caribbean colonies from France, e.g. Tobago and seized treasure to fund it.
