Changes In The Military 1790-1918 Flashcards

1
Q

What were the 3 reforms introduced by the duke of York to the military from 1790-1815

A
  • ending the worst excesses of the purchase system (making the military more meritocratic)
  • establishing a military college to improve the professionalism of the officer class
  • creating light infantry regiments
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Which war sought the McNeil-Tulloch report

A

The Crimean war

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

At what base did McNeil-Tulloch review the organisation of the military

A

Balaclava (the Crimea)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What was the outcome of the McNeil-Tulloch report

A

The commisariat was reformed and made more professional in 1858

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What military reforms took place in 1856-68

A

A major barracks construction program was launched but little was done to exchange the appeal of service life

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Why was service life poor in the years 1856-68

A
  • soldiers remained poorly paid

* military discipline was harsh- for example, flogging had not been abolished until 1881

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What did the Crimean war and Indian mutiny highlight about the military before 1868

A

It was inefficient in both its structure and organisation in comparison to powerful military forces being established in the German empire

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Who was the Secretary of State for war between 1868-74

A

Edward Cardwell

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What were Edward Cardwells reforms and what was their consequences

A
  • short term enlistments were introduced (only 6 year engagement then a unit would join the reserves)- led to a loss in troops
  • the purchase system was completely abolished (making the military more meritocratic and the first real attempt to change the social composition of the officers)- did in reality not alter the social composition of officer corps
  • battalions were based on 66 separate districts across the country, one of the two would serve abroad whilst the other was based at home - the constant need for men to serve abroad put great strain on the home battalions
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What was the cuase that prompt haldanes reforms to the military?

A
  • government investigations into military planning, recruitment and army organisation of the boer war
  • by 1905, Germany had established itself as a potential enemy
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What were haldanes reforms to the military from 1905-1912

A

•exsisting military corps in schools and universities were reorganised into Officer training corps

haldane envisiaged a two-line army:
•an expeditionary force of 150,000 men
•a territorial force (volunteers, militia and the yeomanry) of over 200,000 men by 1913

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What was the consequence of haldanes reforms

A

The value of haldanes reforms was shown in 1914 with the efficient mobilisation and performance of the British expeditionary force in the early months of WW1

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What did General Douglas Haig sought to improve in The military in 1914

A

It’s preparedness by holding regular large-scale manoeuvres

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What did Henry Wilson formulate for the military in 1914

A

Mobilisation plans (the preparation of railway timetables and shipping arrangements)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What had army officers underestimated at the start of WW1

A

The potential of the machine gun and thought that cavalry charges would win battles

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

In mid-1914 how many divisions were in the German army

A

84 divisions

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

In mid-1914 how many divisions were in the French army

A

66 divisions

18
Q

In mid-1914 how many divisions were in the British army

A

6 divisions

19
Q

By 1818, how many warships were left in commission

A

121 warships were in commission in 1818

20
Q

In 1815, how many warships were in commission

A

713

21
Q

What percentage of commissioned officers were on half pay in 1818

A

90%

22
Q

Which war did paddle steamers demonstrate the effectiveness of steam powerd warships

A

The first opium war with China

23
Q

What was a design flaw with paddle steamers in the navy

A

The twin paddles occupied too much room for an effective broadside

24
Q

In the 1830’s and 1840’s did the British army rely mainly on steam or sail power’d ships

A

Sail power

25
Q

When was the screw propeller first introduced

A

Late 1830’s

26
Q

What was advantageous about the screw propeller compared with paddle steamers

A

The screw propeller was located in the stern of the ship therefore it did not interfere with the broadside

27
Q

What was the first battleship fitted with the screw propeller

A

HMS Ajax

28
Q

In 1853, what was the most powerful battleship, how many guns did it have and how fast did it go?

A

The HMS Duke of Wellington
131 guns
10 knots

29
Q

Who was the first lord of admiralty in the year 1830-34

A

Sir James graham

30
Q

What were the for reforms introduced by sir James graham

A

1) the amalgamation of the admiralty and the navy board which improved the navy’s administration and ensured less nepotism, bribery and corruption
2) all crew were to be skilled in gunnery
3) the system of automatic promotions ended-officers had to have 2 years experience at sea before being promoted to commander
4) the civilian run naval office was abolished and all aspects of supply were placed under naval control

31
Q

Why was there a need to modernise the navy in the late 1890’s

A

Virtually all naval vessels had changed from sail and wood to steam and steel

These technological changes forced Britain to keep modernising its navy which was very costly

32
Q

In 1889, what naval policy regarding naval strength did Britain adopt

A

Britain’s naval strength was kept Up to the combined strength of of the next 2 greatest powers

33
Q

What was the 1898 German naval law and what was its consequences

A

The 1898 German naval law said that Germany would double the size of its naval fleet- this posed a threat to Britain’s superiority and thus its trade and sercurity

34
Q

Who was the first sea lord in 1904-9

A

Admiral fisher

35
Q

What was the selbourne scheme

A

Created by admiral fisher

All naval officers were to be trained in common. Later they could specialise in engineering, navigation or gunnery.

As these officers reached a higher rank, all would be eligible to command ships and for promotion to admiral

36
Q

Why did admiral fisher create the slebourne scheme

A

To produce a more meritocratic officers and a less class-bound navy

37
Q

In what year were submarines first built in Britain

A

1902

38
Q

How many times cheaper was it to build submarines compared to battleships

A

25 times

39
Q

What did the building of the dreadnought battleship spark between Britain and Germany

A

A naval race as the dreadnought was so powerful it made all other battleships obsolete

40
Q

After 1793, how many men were in the navy

A

120,000