The political debate over war strategy, 1689-1712
The dissertation covers 1689-1712 in English political history. It deals with the debate between the Whig and Tory parties, and their internal conflicts, over the strategy necessary to defeat France in the two wars of this period: the Nine Years' and Spanish Succession Wars. It describes the widespread hopes for a quick victory, centred on the 'descent', in the early years of William's reign; and how this optimism was exploited to secure support for the Continental .war. It traces the development of an alternative 'Country' strategy in response to the failures to mount an invasion of France and the build up of English forces in Flanders. The consolidation of Whig support behind the Contin~ntal war in 1693-95; and the failure of the Country attempt to draw away mercantile support from the European war by exploiting the anger over privateering losses are analysed. The explosion of Country/Tory bitterness in 1697-98 which ied to the precipitate disbanding of the army is discussed with reference to the strategic hopes and dis- , appointments of :the previous war. The approach of the Spanish Succession War in 1698-1702 is analysed against the background of the expectations of both Whigs and Tories that England
Denman, Terence John
Anglo-European conflict politics
The political debate over war strategy, 1689-1712. The dissertation covers 1689-1712 in English political history. It deals with the debate between the Whig and Tory parties, and their internal conflicts, over the strategy necessary to defeat France in the two wars of this period: the Nine Years' and Spanish Succession Wars. It describes the widespread hopes for a quick victory, centred on the 'descent', in the early years of William's reign; and how this optimism was exploited to secure support for the Continental .war. It traces the development of an alternative 'Country' strategy in response to the failures to mount an invasion of France and the build up of English forces in Flanders. The consolidation of Whig support behind the Contin~ntal war in 1693-95; and the failure of the Country attempt to draw away mercantile support from the European war by exploiting the anger over privateering losses are analysed. The explosion of Country/Tory bitterness in 1697-98 which ied to the precipitate disbanding of the army is discussed with reference to the strategic hopes and dis- , appointments of :the previous war. The approach of the Spanish Succession War in 1698-1702 is analysed against the background of the expectations of both Whigs and Tories that England
political debate war strategy cover english political_history deal debate whig tory party internal conflict strategy necessary defeat france war_period years spanish succession wars describe widespread hope quick victory centre descent william reign optimism exploit secure support continental war trace_development alternative country strategy response failures mount invasion france build english force flanders consolidation whig support behind war failure country attempt_draw away mercantile support european war exploit anger loss analyse explosion country tory precipitate army discuss_reference strategic hop dis appointment previous war spanish succession war analyse background expectation tories england