Reform in recruitment and training (Edexcel GCSE History): Revision Notes

Reform in recruitment and training (c1700-c1900)

The period between 1700 and 1900 saw significant changes in how Britain recruited and trained its soldiers. While some improvements occurred in the early 18th century, the most dramatic reforms took place between 1850 and 1900, driven by both government initiatives and individual reformers who recognised the need for a more professional military force.

Early recruitment challenges (c1700-1850)

By 1700, Britain maintained a standing army, but the system for recruiting and training soldiers faced serious problems that would persist for much of the 18th and early 19th centuries.

Problems with officer recruitment

The British Army struggled with the quality of its officer class during this period. Military commissions were closely tied to social class and wealth rather than actual military ability or merit. Wealthy individuals could essentially buy their way into high-ranking positions, regardless of their competence or experience.

Issues with enlisted soldiers

The recruitment of ordinary soldiers presented different but equally serious challenges. Most enlistments were relatively short, typically lasting between 8 and 12 years, though some soldiers enlisted for life (usually around 21 years of service). To encourage recruitment, the army offered various incentives including regular pay, bounties for signing up, and access to tavern recruitment drives.

New recruitment methods

The colonels' regiment system

To address recruitment challenges, the army developed a system where individual colonels were responsible for organising and equipping new regiments. These officers were essentially paid to establish and maintain military units, with regiments created as cost-effectively as possible to maximise profit.

The Militia Act of 1757

A significant development came with the passage of the Militia Act in 1757, which represented an important shift in recruitment strategy. This legislation reorganised the existing militia system by requiring men aged 18 to 50 to be selected from every parish across the country to serve in their local militia for five years. This created a more systematic approach to maintaining local defence forces while providing a pool of trained men who could potentially be called upon for regular army service.

However, the system still faced limitations. Despite the high costs associated with training, providing accommodation, and supplying uniforms, officers' pay remained relatively low. This meant that there was little change in the social background of the officer class by 1900, as the financial barriers to entry remained significant.

The drive towards professionalisation

Cardwell's 1870 Army Act

The most significant reforms came during the late 19th century, particularly through the efforts of Edward Cardwell and the support of Prime Minister William Gladstone. In 1868, Gladstone's government recognised the urgent need for military reform and was prepared to push through modernising legislation despite strong opposition from traditional military leaders.

Cardwell, serving as Secretary of State for War, introduced the Army Act of 1870, which fundamentally transformed the British military system. This legislation established the foundation for a truly professional army by ensuring a constant supply of well-trained soldiers through several key changes.

Organisational reforms under the Regularisation Act

The 1871 Regularisation of the Forces Act

Building on the foundation established by the Army Act, Cardwell implemented further structural changes through the 1871 Regularisation of the Forces Act. This legislation reorganised military units into regions, with each regiment assigned local barracks to improve accommodation and organisation.

The new system created what were known as "linked" battalions, where every regiment consisted of two battalions - one serving domestically and one stationed abroad. Additionally, each regiment's third battalion was composed of local militia forces, creating stronger connections between regular army units and local communities.

Training improvements and military education

Expansion of military colleges after 1850

The period after 1850 witnessed significant improvements in military training and education. By the 1860s, more officers began receiving formal training at the Royal Military College at Sandhurst, which provided systematic instruction in military leadership and tactics.

Specialised training facilities were also established for different branches of the military. Artillery and engineering officers received training at the Woolwich Royal Military Academy, which had been operating since 1741. The Senior Department of the Royal Military College took responsibility for training existing officers in advanced military concepts.

Specialised training facilities

To support the increasingly technical nature of modern warfare, specialised schools were established to train weapons instructors and technical specialists. Military schools opened at Hythe in 1853 and Shoeburyness in 1859, focusing on training soldiers in the use of increasingly sophisticated weapons and military technology.

Timeline of key reforms

• 1741: Woolwich Royal Military Academy established (artillery and engineering)
• 1757: Militia Act establishes systematic local militia recruitment
• 1853: Military school opens at Hythe
• 1859: Military school opens at Shoeburyness
• 1860s: Royal Military College at Sandhurst expands officer training
• 1868: Gladstone's government begins push for army reform
• 1870: Army Act introduces 12-year service system
• 1871: Regularisation Act reorganises regiments; sale of commissions ends
• 1881: Branding and flogging abolished