Pearson Edexcel · GCSE · History
Course version: 1HI0 · Version from Sept 2016
C1700–c1900: Warfare and British society in the eighteenth and nineteenth…
Full specification wording
Option 12: c1700–c1900: Warfare and British society in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries - 1 The nature of warfare: The recruitment and training of combatants, including Cardwell’s army reforms and professionalisation.
Between 1700 and 1900, the recruitment and training of combatants shifted towards professionalisation, culminating in Cardwell’s army reforms (1868–1874).
Checked against the Pearson Edexcel 1HI0 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 2 of 2
- 4 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
Between 1700 and 1900, the recruitment and training of combatants shifted towards professionalisation, culminating in Cardwell’s army reforms (1868–1874). Initially, recruitment relied on bounties and attracted the poorest. Training was limited to repetitive drill and basic musketry within regiments, with harsh discipline used to maintain order. Following the Crimean War's failures, Cardwell introduced reforms to modernise the army. He abolished the purchase of commissions in 1871, ensuring officers were promoted on merit. The Army Enlistment Act (1870) established shorter terms of service to make recruitment appealing and create a trained reserve. Training improved with the Localisation of the Forces Act (1872), establishing local depots where recruits received standardised basic training before joining regiments, fundamentally professionalising the military.
What earns the marks
- Describe early recruitment methods, including bounties, and the reliance on harsh discipline and basic regimental drill for training.
- Explain the significance of abolishing the purchase of commissions in professionalising the officer corps.
- Detail the changes brought by the Army Enlistment Act, specifically short-service enlistment to build a trained reserve.
- Analyse how Cardwell's reforms, including the establishment of local depots, improved the overall training and professional standards of the British army.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Believing Cardwell introduced conscription.
Put it right: Emphasise that the British army remained a volunteer force; Cardwell reformed the terms of enlistment to encourage volunteers.
Misunderstanding the purchase of commissions.
Put it right: Clarify that before the reforms, wealthy men could buy officer ranks regardless of ability; Cardwell ended this to promote meritocracy.
Assuming training was always standardised.
Put it right: Before Cardwell's depot system, training was ad hoc and managed by individual regiments, focusing mostly on basic drill and musketry.
Exam tips
- Connect Cardwell's reforms directly to the shortcomings exposed during the Crimean War and the Indian Rebellion.
- Use the abolition of the purchase of commissions as your primary example of the professionalisation of leadership.
- Mention the shift from regimental training to depot training to demonstrate improvements in the training of combatants.
Try the lesson
The start of the Option 12: c1700–c1900: Warfare and British society in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries - 1 The nature of warfare: The recruitment and training of combatants, including Cardwell’s army reforms and professionalisation. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
Which major change to the recruitment of officers was introduced by Cardwell’s army reforms in 1871?
Listen
Between 1700 and 1900, the recruitment and training of combatants shifted towards professionalisation, culminating in Cardwell’s army reforms (1868–1874). Initially, recruitment relied on bounties and attracted the poorest. Training was limited to repetitive drill and basic musketry within regiments, with harsh discipline used to maintain order. Following the Crimean War's failures, Cardwell introduced reforms to modernise the army. He abolished the purchase of commissions in 1871, ensuring officers were promoted on merit. The Army Enlistment Act (1870) established shorter terms of service to make recruitment appealing and create a trained reserve. Training improved with the Localisation of the Forces Act (1872), establishing local depots where recruits received standardised basic training before joining regiments, fundamentally professionalising the military. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Describe early recruitment methods, including bounties, and the reliance on harsh discipline and basic regimental drill for training. Explain the significance of abolishing the purchase of commissions in professionalising the officer corps. Detail the changes brought by the Army Enlistment Act, specifically short-service enlistment to build a trained reserve. Analyse how Cardwell's reforms, including the establishment of local depots, improved the overall training and professional standards of the British army. A common slip: Believing Cardwell introduced conscription. Instead, Emphasise that the British army remained a volunteer force; Cardwell reformed the terms of enlistment to encourage volunteers. Exam tip: Connect Cardwell's reforms directly to the shortcomings exposed during the Crimean War and the Indian Rebellion.
Put the events in order
Put these events in the order they happened, earliest first.
- 1. The Localisation of the Forces Act established local depots
- 2. Cardwell's army reforms began, aiming at professionalisation
- 3. The purchase of commissions was abolished
- 4. The Army Enlistment Act established shorter terms of service
Key words
Say what each word means before you turn the card.
Professionalisation
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Cardwell's army reforms
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Purchase of commissions
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Local depots
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
See every definition
- Professionalisation
- The shift in the recruitment and training of combatants towards professional standards, culminating in Cardwell's army reforms.
- Cardwell's army reforms
- Reforms introduced to modernise the army following the failures of the Crimean War.
- Purchase of commissions
- A practice abolished in 1871 so that officers were promoted on merit.
- Local depots
- Establishments created by the Localisation of the Forces Act (1872) where recruits received standardised basic training before joining regiments.
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