Quality of Soldiers, both professional and Volunteers

• Revolutionary Wars


  Uniforms were bright to be seen amongst the smoke and to show the glory of their monarch

  France’s army = nationalistic La Marseillaise

  BATTLE of Fleurus - FR outnumbered but won (quality)

  Carnot - Divisions and the use of columns helped to develop the ‘citizen army’ into a successful force

  Valmy gave the impression that the citizen army could take on professional troops and win (In reality the French artillery persuaded the Prussians to abandon their advance).
• Napoleonic Wars


  Caused considerable change in warfare. French Revo. Swept away aristocratic privilege. ​

  Columns – as battering rams. Perfect for quickly trained troops.​

  + Enthusiasm for the Revolution and the La Marseillaise showed that the revolutionary army could take on trained professionals​
• Small Wars


  Nationalism was a key factor for Garibaldi (Italy leader) – he raised the ‘thousand’ volunteers to invade BATTLE Sicily in 1860

  Nationalism = powerful motivation that added quality to the Prussian forces in the Franco-Prussian War when the reservists had to defend against the superior Chassepot rifles
• American Civil War


  The armies had been small in USA prior to the war. Mostly deployed against Mexico or protecting migrant routes. BOTH sides needed CITIZEN ARMIES. ​

  A strong sense of loyalty was developed to sustain the armies in the destruction.
• WW1


  Kitchener's recruitment - GB 1916 (first time using conscription)

  National enthusiasm helped supply of men

  Bad cas at Alsace and Lorraine only endured due to national cause (BATTLE)

  Russian Revolution stopped this

  Massed citizen armies could not perform complex military manoeuvres = more likely to do frontal assaults BATTLE Somme
• WW2


  Armies given better training

  Citizen army - engaged with national cause

  More complex invasions due to better quality of troops (D-day BATTLE)