continuity and change in the army 1700-1850

• What was the size of the permanent standing army around 1700?

  About 50,000 men
• Why did the size of the army increase by 1809?

  The growth of the British Empire required more soldiers
• What percentage of the army was cavalry around 1850?

  About 20 percent
• What percentage of the army was artillery around 1850?

  About 5 percent
• How did the role of government change in organizing the army by 1900?

  Governments became more involved in army organization
• What transformation occurred in the armed forces during this period?

  They became a professional organization
• What was the enlistment term for soldiers by 1900?

  Fixed terms of enlistment
• How did uniforms change from 1700 to 1900?

  From bright uniforms to camouflaged ones
• What new transportation methods were used by 1900?

  Steamships and trains
• What new weapons emerged by 1900?

  Rifles and machine guns
• How did artillery change by 1900?

  Long-distance and light field artillery were used
• What role did cavalry still play on the battlefield?

  Important for reconnaissance and harassment
• How did infantry tactics evolve between 1850 and 1900?

  Loading times improved and formations changed
• What was the "Brown Bess" musket used for?

  Used by infantry from 1715 to 1850
• What social attitudes affected training in the army?

  Officers believed they knew best and resisted change
• What was the impact of social attitudes on training by 1850?

  Very little improvement had taken place
• What were the main changes in the army from c1700 to c1900?

  • Increase in army size due to the British Empire
  • Transformation into a professional organization
  • Introduction of new weapons and transportation methods
  • Changes in uniforms and command structures
• What aspects of the army remained unchanged during this period?

  • Cavalry still used for reconnaissance
  • Infantry tactics largely unchanged
  • Continued reliance on traditional weapons like the musket
  • Social attitudes hindering training improvements