How Did The British Gain Power In The Regency Era
THE BRITISH MILITARY: HOW IT MAINTAINED POWER IN THE REGENCY ERA.
The British Army, despite being made up mostly of volunteers, was one of the most powerful armies during the Regency Era. Such power is not easy to hold onto, but Britain managed it well through her extensive organization of the army and the functions applied to them, as well as the situation that Britain was being thrown into during this time. A major contributor to Britain maintaining its military dominance was the way that the British organized their army. In the army, “there was a definite hierarchy amongst the various British land forces. At the top were the General and Staff Officers, Household Regiments of Cavalry and Infantry followed by those of the line.” (Boyle). This hierarchical structure allowed for easier management of what was the largest army at the time—a truly global force—based on the merit and credit of individuals and their …show more content…
For a good portion of the period, “the British Army of 1815 had been honed by years of active confrontation and battle, most recently with France, in the Revolutionary and Napoleonic wars” (Knowles). Britain, in this bogging war with France, can help to explain why Britain saw the extensive organization of her army for reasons other than colony control. During this war, Britain’s manpower—the number of people, in this case, able to fight in the army—drastically changed. Before France attacked, “the [British] army was relatively small.just 45,000 men, two thirds of whom were stationed abroad. They had recruiting issues, and the rank and file were notoriously those who had few other choices.” (Knight). Needless to say, the attack from France served as a wake-up call to the British, as “by 1803, 380,000 men had volunteered [to join the British army]” (Knight), which increased their numbers exponentially to be able to take on their
The British Army, despite being made up mostly of volunteers, was one of the most powerful armies during the Regency Era. Such power is not easy to hold onto, but Britain managed it well through her extensive organization of the army and the functions applied to them, as well as the situation that Britain was being thrown into during this time. A major contributor to Britain maintaining its military dominance was the way that the British organized their army. In the army, “there was a definite hierarchy amongst the various British land forces. At the top were the General and Staff Officers, Household Regiments of Cavalry and Infantry followed by those of the line.” (Boyle). This hierarchical structure allowed for easier management of what was the largest army at the time—a truly global force—based on the merit and credit of individuals and their …show more content…
For a good portion of the period, “the British Army of 1815 had been honed by years of active confrontation and battle, most recently with France, in the Revolutionary and Napoleonic wars” (Knowles). Britain, in this bogging war with France, can help to explain why Britain saw the extensive organization of her army for reasons other than colony control. During this war, Britain’s manpower—the number of people, in this case, able to fight in the army—drastically changed. Before France attacked, “the [British] army was relatively small.just 45,000 men, two thirds of whom were stationed abroad. They had recruiting issues, and the rank and file were notoriously those who had few other choices.” (Knight). Needless to say, the attack from France served as a wake-up call to the British, as “by 1803, 380,000 men had volunteered [to join the British army]” (Knight), which increased their numbers exponentially to be able to take on their