reformers Flashcards
what year was the McNeil Tulloch report?
1855
what inspired the McNeil Tulloch report?
the crimean war highlighting weaknesses of army in supply, transport, and leadership
what was the focus of the McNeil Tulloch report?
campaign management, the commissariat
what were the main findings of the McNeil Tulloch report? (list 5)
(quick ver: lacking supplies and bad organisation = casualties)
casualties mostly from disease,
army providing lacking food and medical supplies,
leading to poor health and having to provide for themselves/work even when ill,
food supplies distributed too slowly (e.g lime for scurvy arrive 1854 not distributed till 1855),
40% horses died in winter (lack food),
supply communication poor
What were the recommendations of the McNeil Tulloch report? (list 3)
improve organisation and supply lines,
troops need nutritious diet (so more meat + veg) to prevent disease,
suggested replacing rum ration w larger amount of porter
What were the main POSITIVE consequences of the McNeil Tulloch report? (list 3)
reform of Commissariat (main),
put more of operations under army control,
army starting to take responsibility for ancillary services
what were some NEGATIVE consequences of the McNeil Tulloch report? (list 2)
attempts to whitewash report by “Chelsea Board,”
Commanders demanding enquiries into them to save their rep,
How far was the progress of McNeil Tulloch report?
showing the failures of the army, leading to government having a more active role in management
overall not very significant but was good progress in the right direction
Over what years did cardwell’s reforms take place?
1868-74
What inspired the Cardwell reforms 1868? (list 3)
Expansion of empire called for better/larger army,
growing threat of prussian empire (400,000 troops vs Brit under 100,000 scattered),
new gov ambitious and wanted reforms
What problems did Cardwell face in getting reforms? (list 3 points)
mothballing of army under Wellington,
many other generals didn’t want reform,
believed the army that beat Napoleon is still the best
What were Cardwell’s findings in brief?
Issues with recruitment bc of unappealing things in the army,
purchase of commission = wealthy dumbasses in top positions
What was discouraging army recruitment? (cardwell reforms) - list 5
flogging and branding,
have to purchase higher ranks,
dishonest recruiting seargents bc bounty money,
minimum service 12 years (21+ for pension),
long posts abroad,
why were people afraid of long posts abroad? (cardwell reforms)
soldiers would die of diseases or return very little, wouldnt be able to see their family
what was the minimum years of service to get a pension in the army? (cardwell reforms)
over 21
When was flogging abolished by Cardwell?
abolished in peacetime in 1868
When was branding abolished by Cardwell?
abolished completely 1871
When was bounty money abolished by Cardwell?
1870
What did Cardwell do to reform the minimum service requirement?
Army Enlistment Act 1870 allowed them to serve 1/2 12 years in reserves
How did Cardwell solve the problem of serving abroad?
Regulation of Forces Act 1871 allowed men to choose regiment they wanted to join
When did Cardwell abolish purchase of commission?
1871
What were the main positives of Cardwell’s reforms?
made the army more appealing and the promotion system marginally more fair
What issues were there with the effectiveness of Cardwell’s reforms? (list 3)
culture of army need more long term change,
either poor aspects of army like low pay not addressed,
army still a class hierarchy because of other factors like access of wealthy to education
Why is it arguable the solving of recruitment issues wasn’t fully due to Cardwell’s reforms?
The economic decline in the mid 70s made the army more appealing anyway
What was the issue with army pay even after Cardwell?
a private was paid less than a manual worker in the city,
the pay would be claimed back by food and uniform anyway
What were the main results of Cardwells reforms + how significant?
Purchase of commission ending was a step in the right direction in the long term and ending flogging etc made the army somewhat more attractive but arguably his results were not that significant as they did not correct issues like pay, nor was he even the primary reason for people becoming more interested in the army around that time
What year did Childers reforms take place?
1881
Why were Childers’ reforms necessary?
Cardwell made it local regiments but not always making up numbers,
What did Childers do to deal with the regiment issue?
Introduced General Order 41 = amalgamate or relocate
What was the issue with Childers’ reforms? (list 4)
Regimental pride high (encouraged before),
sometimes ineffective,
fought to retain names (eg Buffs),
protests show unpopularity (Gordon highlanders)
What was the significance of Childers reforms?
Showed Cardwell was not as successful long term,
overall ineffectual in themselves too
What year did Haldane’s reforms take place?
1905-12
What inspired Haldane’s reforms?
New technology its impacts on tactics,
need to adapt,
The disaster of the Boer war also demonstrated the armys failures
What changes were needed? (Haldane) (list 4)
Need specific units for mortars or machine guns, specialised roles,
need changes in medicine bc germ theory,
uniform needed to be camouflage not identity,
need to improve supplies
What were Haldane’s main findings? (list 3)
Boer war only victory through numbers and brutality,
different army parts fighting differently (Canadians not listening to British generals orders),
defence of empire improvised and chaotic,
Gov saw this all as significant (haldane task large)
