Britain and the French Wars 1793-
1815
How far was the success of the British army due to the role of Wellington?
RELATIVE STRENGTHS
- France had conscription so could get hundreds of thousands of men. Britain had 40,000 by 1793.
- Had a population x2 of Britain so more choice
- 1775-1783 American War of Independence their navy defeated the British.
- Britain had a modern economy due to Industrial Revolution which transformed manufacturing.
- Could finance more military expenditure by selling Gov stocks to manage national debt.
- 1798 income tax introduced which meant that the war could be financed.
- Financial strength funded the Royal Navy eg: Seven Years War 1756-1763.
-navy protected Britain’s colonies eg: Canada
-British East India Company controlled key areas in India which removed French influence.
- Financial strength allowed coalitions to form with allies (Austria, Prussia, Russia) spent £50million.
-loaned Austria a further £4.6 million.
THE HOME FRONT
- Napoleon’s Continental System didn’t work.
- Cotton exports rose to France as it didn’t have as many ‘spinning jennies’. 1790s only had a few hundred but
Britain had thousands in textile mills.
-British even supplied the cloth for the French uniforms.
- 1799: To help fund the war, the Gov introduced income tax.
-food prices increased
-unemployment rose = more men join the army.
- Farmers sold wheat at high price = relied on high prices = 1815 Corn Laws banning cheaper imports.
- Agrarian revolution modernised agriculture in 1700s so home food production was enough.
Wellington information
- Joined the army in 1787 and purchased commission like many upper-class officers.
- 1797 sent on military duty to India.
- His brother was governor-general and soon relied on Wellington’s military abilities.
- This culminated in 1803 when his 7,000 men attacked an Indian force of 40,000 at Assaye and won.
HIS CHARACTER:
- Known for attention to detail
- Picked battle locations that gave him some advantage
- Believed men should be supplied by the navy rather than living off the land (which isolated the locals).
- Very strict but always ensured that his men were well fed and equipped.
- Quoted as saying “our soldiers are the very scum of the earth” but that “it really is wonderful that we should
have made them the fine fellows that they are”
1815
How far was the success of the British army due to the role of Wellington?
RELATIVE STRENGTHS
- France had conscription so could get hundreds of thousands of men. Britain had 40,000 by 1793.
- Had a population x2 of Britain so more choice
- 1775-1783 American War of Independence their navy defeated the British.
- Britain had a modern economy due to Industrial Revolution which transformed manufacturing.
- Could finance more military expenditure by selling Gov stocks to manage national debt.
- 1798 income tax introduced which meant that the war could be financed.
- Financial strength funded the Royal Navy eg: Seven Years War 1756-1763.
-navy protected Britain’s colonies eg: Canada
-British East India Company controlled key areas in India which removed French influence.
- Financial strength allowed coalitions to form with allies (Austria, Prussia, Russia) spent £50million.
-loaned Austria a further £4.6 million.
THE HOME FRONT
- Napoleon’s Continental System didn’t work.
- Cotton exports rose to France as it didn’t have as many ‘spinning jennies’. 1790s only had a few hundred but
Britain had thousands in textile mills.
-British even supplied the cloth for the French uniforms.
- 1799: To help fund the war, the Gov introduced income tax.
-food prices increased
-unemployment rose = more men join the army.
- Farmers sold wheat at high price = relied on high prices = 1815 Corn Laws banning cheaper imports.
- Agrarian revolution modernised agriculture in 1700s so home food production was enough.
Wellington information
- Joined the army in 1787 and purchased commission like many upper-class officers.
- 1797 sent on military duty to India.
- His brother was governor-general and soon relied on Wellington’s military abilities.
- This culminated in 1803 when his 7,000 men attacked an Indian force of 40,000 at Assaye and won.
HIS CHARACTER:
- Known for attention to detail
- Picked battle locations that gave him some advantage
- Believed men should be supplied by the navy rather than living off the land (which isolated the locals).
- Very strict but always ensured that his men were well fed and equipped.
- Quoted as saying “our soldiers are the very scum of the earth” but that “it really is wonderful that we should
have made them the fine fellows that they are”
