The document summarizes several British military and naval reforms between the early 1800s to 1910: - The Duke of York Reforms in the early 1800s standardized tactics, created light infantry regiments, and established training schools. - The Cardwell Reforms of 1870-1881 modernized the army by reorganizing departments, introducing the Martini-Henry rifle, ending purchase of commissions, and establishing a 12-year enlistment period with active and reserve service. - Haldane Reforms from 1906-1912 created an expeditionary force and the Territorial Force for overseas and home defense, respectively, in response to lessons from the Second Boer War. - Fisher Reforms from 1904-

1. Reforms
MILITARY

2. York Reforms
Early 1800s
Duke of York
• Stamped out the worst excesses of the
purchase system
• Established a military college and school for
cadets
• Standardised tactical drills and manoeuvres
• Created light infantry regiments

3. Cardwell Reforms
1870-1881
Edward Cardwell was Secretary of State for War
The Crimean War (1854-6) had highlighted the shortcomings of the Commissariat and supply departments
Cardwell undertook the task of modernizing the army.
• The various sections of the War Department were all combined in the same
building; calling it The War Office.
• fixed the term of enlistment to 12 years, part on active service, part on
reserve. Prior to this, enlistment was for 'life'.
• the Martini-Henry breech-loading rifle was introduced as the main weapon
of the infantry
• the purchase of Commissions was abolished. A meritocratic system was
introduced.
• Flogging was eventually abolished in 1879. Both in peacetime and wartime
in the Royal Navy. And it was abolished in the army in 1881.
• Men could choose which regiment to join.
• Bounty money abolished, fairer system when recruiting
• The change in organization in time altered social structure.

4. Childers' Reforms
1881
• Restructured the infantry regiments of the
British Army
• Standardisation of uniforms and colours
Minor reform before the Second Boer War

5. Esher Report
1904
• The Esher Report of 1904, chaired by Lord Esher, recommended radical reform of
the British Army
• The Second Boer War of 1899-1902 exposed weakness and inefficiency in the
British Army and demonstrated how isolated Britain was from the rest of the
world
• The War Secretary was to have the same power as the First Lord of the Admiralty
and all military topics submitted to the Crown would go through him.
• the War Office was to be radically reorganised on rational grounds.

6. Haldane Reforms
1906-1912
Secretary of State of war Richard Haldane
In the light of lessons newly learned in the Second Boer
War.
• The major element of the reforms was the creation
of an expeditionary force, specifically prepared and
trained for intervening in a major war.
• To ensure that home defence would not suffer from
sending the regular forces overseas, the Militia
formed the Special Reserve and the Volunteer Force
• in the words of Douglas Haig, "the greatest Secretary
of State for War England has ever had“
• Territorial Force provided forces for home defence.

7. Naval Reforms

8. Graham Reforms 1832
• Lord Graham
• Refitting old ships and built new battleships
• Exercises introduced to improve gunmanship
• Permanent school of gunnery set up
• Standardised system of naval gunnery so that seamen could be transferred to any ship of the line
and immediately be effective.
• Single round shot encouraged as more powerful
• Introduced regulation that set out a minimum amount of service an officer had to have in order
to move up ranks.
• This ensured certain amount of experience for those becoming officers, captains etc.
• Abolished Naval office and put civil departments under control of the navy.
• This made readying ships for active service quicker.
• Communicating was faster as every area had five principal officers for different departments.

9. Fisher Reforms 1904-1910