French Wars- The condition of the navy

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When were the French Wars (including the Napoleonic Wars)?
1793-1815
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How many ships of the line did Britain have in 1792?
125
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What were the benefits of blockades? (4)
Cut off enemy communications, cut off supplies, prevented neutral merchant shipping from delivering contraband imports, prevented trade and weakened the enemy's economy
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What were the problems with close blockades? (3)
Ships had to stay at sea for a long time, limited support, liable to attack
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What were the problems with distant blockades?
Lots more ships were needed
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Why was the Royal Navy so efficient at gunnery?
From 1745, every ship had to practice gunnery daily
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In theory, how were men promoted in the navy?
Meritocracy
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In practice, how were men promoted in the navy? (3)
Family connections, political patronage, wealth
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Why did the navy have to be more meritocratic than the army?
Large number of men needed to man ships, ships are expensive
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Why were British sailors more experienced than the French? (2)
Fought in the American Revolutionary War, and the French guillotined many of their officers in the Reign of Terror
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How were men recruited into the navy? (3)
Press gangs, destitute volunteering, criminals from a quota
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What were the benefits of joining the navy over the army? (3)
Navy had some chance of advancement, shore leave, and prize money
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Why did France find it easier to recruit men?
Mainly an agrarian society, while the Industrial Revolution in Britain meant that men could find better opportunities in cities
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When was the quota system for recruitment introduced?
1795
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What percentage of British crews were foreign by 1815?
15%
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When was the most recent increase in wages before the French Wars began?
1652
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What punishments were used on board ships? (2)
Flogging with a cat o' nine tails, imprisonment for endangering the ship
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What were living conditions like on board ships? (5)
Poor sleeping quarters and little space, poor quality food, intensive work, disease common
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What was the condition of the navy in 1793? (3)
Old ships were breaking, docks were falling apart, oak was running out
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What allowed Pitt to introduce naval reforms?
Strong economy due to spinning mules creating high textile output, so more money for research and development, and improvements to the navy
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What did Pitt and Admiral Middleton do to reform the navy? (6)
Increased policing at dockyards, introduced coppering, carronades, gun locks, Martello towers, and created block mills
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What was the impact of the naval reforms by Pitt and Middleton?
Ships could stay at sea for longer, so blockades could be maintained and the British were more likely to outnumber the French
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When was the Spithead mutiny?
1797
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What did the Spithead mutineers demand? (6)
Better pay, sick pay, increased shore leave, more food, better quality food, and a royal pardon for the mutiny
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What was the response to the Spithead mutiny? (2)
Eventually Pitt pushed a reform bill for the navy and removed unpopular officers
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Where was the Nore mutiny?
Thames Estuary
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Who was the ringleader of the Nore mutiny?
Richard Parker
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Why did Richard Parker start the Nore mutiny?
Anger at being discharged from the navy for disobedience
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What were the initial demands at the Nore mutiny? (2)
Equal prize money and changes to the Articles of War which governed ship life
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Why did the Nore mutiny fail?
Parker extended demands to removal of government and peace with France, so lost support
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What do the mutinies of 1797 demonstrate?
Poor quality and morale in the navy, lack of government will for change so long as the country was defended
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Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

How many ships of the line did Britain have in 1792?

Back

125

Card 3

Front

What were the benefits of blockades? (4)

Back

Preview of the front of card 3

Card 4

Front

What were the problems with close blockades? (3)

Back

Preview of the front of card 4

Card 5

Front

What were the problems with distant blockades?

Back

Preview of the front of card 5
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