Pearson Edexcel · A-Level · History
Course version: 9HI0 · Version from Sept 2015
The British experience of warfare, c1790–1918 - 1 Changes in organising…
Full specification wording
Paper 3, Option 35.2: The British experience of warfare, c1790–1918 - 1 Changes in organising the military: The military and reasons for changes 1790-1918: improvements to army organisation, ordnance and supplies (key developments: McNeill-Tulloch Report 1855, Cardwell's army reforms 1868-74, Haldane's army reforms 1905-12). The navy and changes in organisation: decommissioning ships and reduction in the size of the navy after 1815; the significance of the shift from sail to steam; government reforms (key developments: Graham’s reforms 1832, Fisher's reforms at the Admiralty 1904-10).
Between 1790 and 1918, warfare forced Britain to reorganise its army and navy.
Checked against the Pearson Edexcel 9HI0 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 1 of 2
- 4 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
Between 1790 and 1918, warfare forced Britain to reorganise its army and navy. Army reform began with the McNeill-Tulloch Report (1855), which exposed supply failures in the Crimean War and led to improvements in ordnance and logistics. Cardwell's reforms (1868–74) abolished flogging and purchase of commissions, created linked battalions and a reserve, and shortened service. Haldane's reforms (1905–12) established the Territorial Force, the Expeditionary Force, and a General Staff. For the navy, after 1815 many ships were decommissioned and the fleet reduced. The shift from sail to steam changed ship design, coaling, and global reach. Graham's reforms (1832) improved naval administration, while Fisher's reforms (1904–10) introduced the Dreadnought, scrapped obsolete ships, and reorganised the fleet.
What earns the marks
- Explains the McNeill-Tulloch Report as a response to Crimean War supply failures and its impact on army organisation and ordnance.
- Analyses Cardwell's reforms: abolition of purchase, linked battalions, reserve forces, and shorter service, and their effect on army efficiency.
- Evaluates Haldane's reforms: creation of the Territorial Force, British Expeditionary Force, and General Staff, and their role in preparing for modern war.
- Explains the post-1815 reduction of the navy: decommissioning of ships and reduction in personnel, and the reasons for this.
- Assesses the significance of the shift from sail to steam: changes in propulsion, coaling stations, speed, and global strategy.
- Examines Graham's reforms (1832) as an early attempt to improve naval administration and efficiency.
- Evaluates Fisher's reforms (1904–10): the Dreadnought, scrapping of obsolete ships, and redistribution of the fleet to meet German naval threat.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Confusing the McNeill-Tulloch Report with a later reform.
Put it right: Place it in 1855 and link it to the Crimean War.
Assuming Cardwell's reforms were solely about abolishing purchase.
Put it right: Include linked battalions, reserve, and short service.
Overlooking the naval reductions after 1815.
Put it right: Explain decommissioning and reduction in size as a peace dividend.
Treating the shift from sail to steam as immediate and total.
Put it right: Note the gradual transition and continued use of sail into the 1860s.
Attributing all naval reform to Fisher.
Put it right: Include Graham's earlier administrative reforms.
Exam tips
- Create a timeline of key reforms to avoid chronological confusion.
- For each reform, note the problem it addressed and its impact, as this supports analysis.
- Compare army and navy reforms to show understanding of common pressures such as technology and war.
- Use specific terms like 'purchase of commissions', 'linked battalions', 'Dreadnought', and 'Territorial Force' accurately.
- Practise essay planning on the reasons for change, grouping political, military, and technological factors.
Try the lesson
The start of the Paper 3, Option 35.2: The British experience of warfare, c1790–1918 - 1 Changes in organising the military: The military and reasons for changes 1790-1918: improvements to army organisation, ordnance and supplies (key developments: McNeill-Tulloch Report 1855, Cardwell's army reforms 1868-74, Haldane's army reforms 1905-12). The navy and changes in organisation: decommissioning ships and reduction in the size of the navy after 1815; the significance of the shift from sail to steam; government reforms (key developments: Graham’s reforms 1832, Fisher's reforms at the Admiralty 1904-10). lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
Which report of 1855 exposed serious failures in the supply and medical arrangements of the British army during the Crimean War?
Listen
Between 1790 and 1918, warfare forced Britain to reorganise its army and navy. Army reform began with the McNeill-Tulloch Report (1855), which exposed supply failures in the Crimean War and led to improvements in ordnance and logistics. Cardwell's reforms (1868–74) abolished flogging and purchase of commissions, created linked battalions and a reserve, and shortened service. Haldane's reforms (1905–12) established the Territorial Force, the Expeditionary Force, and a General Staff. For the navy, after 1815 many ships were decommissioned and the fleet reduced. The shift from sail to steam changed ship design, coaling, and global reach. Graham's reforms (1832) improved naval administration, while Fisher's reforms (1904–10) introduced the Dreadnought, scrapped obsolete ships, and reorganised the fleet. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Explains the McNeill-Tulloch Report as a response to Crimean War supply failures and its impact on army organisation and ordnance. Analyses Cardwell's reforms: abolition of purchase, linked battalions, reserve forces, and shorter service, and their effect on army efficiency. Evaluates Haldane's reforms: creation of the Territorial Force, British Expeditionary Force, and General Staff, and their role in preparing for modern war. Explains the post-1815 reduction of the navy: decommissioning of ships and reduction in personnel, and the reasons for this. A common slip: Confusing the McNeill-Tulloch Report with a later reform. Instead, place it in 1855 and link it to the Crimean War. Exam tip: Create a timeline of key reforms to avoid chronological confusion.
Key words
Say what each word means before you turn the card.
Professionalisation of the army
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Naval technology and strategy
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Government and administrative reform
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Preparation for total war
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
See every definition
- Professionalisation of the army
- Cardwell's reforms abolished purchase of commissions, created linked battalions and a reserve, and shortened service, improving army efficiency.
- Naval technology and strategy
- The shift from sail to steam changed ship design, coaling, speed and global reach, though the transition was gradual.
- Government and administrative reform
- Graham's reforms of 1832 were an early attempt to improve naval administration and efficiency.
- Preparation for total war
- Haldane's reforms established the Territorial Force, the Expeditionary Force and a General Staff, preparing for modern war.
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Test your understanding of Paper 3, Option 35.2: The British experience of warfare, c1790–1918 - 1 Changes in organising the military: The military and reasons for changes 1790-1918: improvements to army organisation, ordnance and supplies (key developments: McNeill-Tulloch Report 1855, Cardwell's army reforms 1868-74, Haldane's army reforms 1905-12). The navy and changes in organisation: decommissioning ships and reduction in the size of the navy after 1815; the significance of the shift from sail to steam; government reforms (key developments: Graham’s reforms 1832, Fisher's reforms at the Admiralty 1904-10).
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