Recruitment and training after 1850

• The Crimean War (a catalyst for change)


  - During and after the Crimean war, pressure for military reform increased in order to improve effectiveness- A Royal commission was set up by the government in 1858 to investigate problems in recruitment. The investigation found that there was mismanagement of supplies sent to troops during the winter of 1854 and that not enough men had been recruited at the beginning of the war- the Royal commission's findings resulted in growing pressure for reform, however the change was not immediate and took a further decade to begin
• why were changes after the crimean war not immediate

  - those in power had no interest in a reformation due to a desire to hold onto their privilege - Britain's victory at Waterloo had encouraged the belief that there was no need for a reformation, these social attitudes were slow to erode- public pressure for reforms had little impact since little over 5% of the population could vote by the 1860s
• Prussia (a catalyst for change)


  - Prussia was considered to be a potential political and military threat in europe- Prussia had built a very strong military from the mid 19th century- The Prussian Army was large, well organised, well trained and well equipped- The army had won a series or European wars in the 1860s and 70s. This had led to Prussia creating and assuming leadership of a united German nation
• Cardwell's reforms


  - Lord Cardwell was war minister from 1868 to 71- He introduced a large series of reforms in recruitment which aimed to encourage greater professionalisation in the army.The reforms were as follows:1) abolition of the purchase system (therefore promotion was solely by merit)2) an increase in government control over the army (government was controlled by the commander in chief)3) a reduction of the enlistment period from 21 to 12 years divided between 6 active years of service and 6 years in the reserve (this was meant to encourage more recruits and ensure a trained reserve)4) an end to paying bounties for recruits5) Simplified army structure (the creation of 66 local regiment districts, 2 in each area of the country, 1 of which to be sent overseas )6)The abolition of flogging as a punishment during peacetime (it was still allowed when on active service abroad)7)The abolition of branding as a punishment