Experience of Civilians

Experience of Civilians c.1700-1900:

At the height of the British Empire the government actively promoted acts of warfare, to build a sense of heroism around Britain’s key military leaders. Technological advancements also brought civilians into contact with war.

Recruitment and conscription

In the Napoleonic wars, 10% of the British population fought.
Women were increasingly recruited as nurses in the wars.
For example:
- Florence Nightingale.
- Mary Seacole.

Free food and quarter

Requisitioning and provisioning of accommodation declined in the Industrial period.
Increasing development of barracks accommodated soldiers.
In 1812, 168 barracks could house 133,000 men.

Taxation

Taxes grew significantly in the period to fund the wars and these were highly unpopular.
Income tax was first introduced in 1799, taxing 10% on all incomes over £200.
This was so unpopular that it was rescinded between 1816 and 1860.

War Photography

War photography

To understand the impact of photography, we need to understand the role of newspapers.
1815 (Waterloo):
- The Times sold mainly in London with 5000 copies a day.
1850:
- Circulation of 40,000, transported all around Britain by train.
- 500 new provincial newspapers.

Growth of newspapers

By the Boer War (1899-1902), there were 300 correspondents sent for newspapers.
The Daily Mail’s circulation had grown to 500,000 copies a day.

William Howard Russell

Sent telegraph reports from Crimea to London.
Short despatches only took 5 hours.
He sent daily reports for 2 years.
Described triumphs and bravery, but also details of what went wrong.
People read about failures of leadership in the army and shortages of weapons and supplies.

Roger Fenton

Employed to take photographs of the Crimean War.
Photographs concentrated on the daily lives of soldiers.
Photos showed poor quality of uniform, tents and camps.
NOT published daily in the newspapers, but were exhibited around Britain.

1Medieval Warfare c.1250-1500

1.1Medieval Warfare & Society

1.1.1Weapons

1.1.2Composition

1.1.3Recruitment & Training

1.1.4Experience of Civilians

1.1.5Case Studies

1.1.6Change in Medieval Warfare

2Early Modern Warfare c.1500-1700

2.1Early Modern Warfare & Society

2.1.1Weapons

2.1.2Composition

2.1.3Recruitment & Training

2.1.4Experience of Civilians

2.1.5Case Studies

2.1.6Change in Early Modern Warfare

3Industrial Warfare c.1700-1900

3.1The Industrial Period & Warfare

3.1.1Weapons

3.1.2Composition

3.1.3Recruitment & Training

3.1.4Experience of Civilians

3.1.5Case Studies

3.1.6Change in Industrial Period Warfare

4Modern Warfare c.1900-present

4.1Modern Warfare & Society

4.1.1Weapons

4.1.2Composition

4.1.3Recruitment & Training

4.1.4Experience of Civilians

4.1.5Case Studies

4.1.6Change in Modern Warfare

5The Historic Environment

5.1London & the Second World War, 1939-45

5.1.1London: A Target

5.1.2Preparations for War

5.1.3The Blitz

5.1.4V1 & V2 Attacks

5.1.5Impact of the Blitz

5.1.6The War Effort

5.1.7The Government

5.1.8The Royal Family

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