The Cultural Paradigms of British Imperialism in the Militarisation of Scotland and North America, C.1745-1775
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1 The Cultural Paradigms of British Imperialism in the Militarisation of Scotland and North America, c.1745-1775. Nicola Martin Date of Submission: 24th September 2018 This thesis is submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy Faculty of Arts and Humanities University of Stirling 2 3 Abstract This dissertation examines militarisation in Scotland and North America from the Jacobite Uprising of 1745-46 to the outbreak of the American Revolutionary War in 1775. Employing a biographical, case study approach, it investigates the cultural paradigms guiding the actions and understandings of British Army officers as they waged war, pacified hostile peoples, and attempted to assimilate ‘other’ population groups within the British Empire. In doing so, it demonstrates the impact of the Jacobite Uprising on British imperialism in North America and the role of militarisation in affecting the imperial attitudes of military officers during a transformative period of imperial expansion, areas underexplored in the current historiography. It argues that militarisation caused several paradigm shifts that fundamentally altered how officers viewed imperial populations and implemented empire in geographical fringes. Changes in attitude led to the development of a markedly different understanding of imperial loyalty and identity. Civilising savages became less important as officers moved away from the assimilation of ‘other’ populations towards their accommodation within the empire. Concurrently, the status of colonial settlers as Britons was contested due to their perceived disloyalty during and after the French and Indian War. ‘Othering’ colonial settlers, officers questioned the sustainability of an ‘empire of negotiation’ and began advocating for imperial reform, including closer regulation of the thirteen colonies. And, as the colonies appeared to edge closer to rebellion, those officers drew upon prior experiences in Scotland and North America to urge the military pacification of a hostile population group to ensure imperial security. Militarisation, therefore, provides important insights into how cultural imperialism was implemented in Scotland and how it was transferred and adapted to North America. Further, it demonstrates the longer-term interactions and understandings that influenced transformations in eighteenth-century imperial policy. 4 5 Acknowledgements This project would not have been possible without generous funding from the Arts and Humanities Research Council and the support of the Scottish Graduate School, which provided a wonderful community of friends and colleagues. I would also like to thank the Eccles Centre at the British Library, the David Library of the American Revolution, the Society for Army Historical Research, the Royal Historical Society, the European Association for American Studies, the Canada-UK foundation, and the University of Stirling for supporting my fieldwork in London and North America. Special thanks must be extended to the David Library for providing a wonderful space to work and to Meg, Kathie, and Brian for going out of their way to make me feel welcome. My appreciation is also extended to the archival staff in the United Kingdom, the United States, and Canada who assisted my research. This project has been shaped and strengthened by my supervisory team. Colin Nicolson saw potential in my initial ideas for a PhD and helped me mould those ideas into a coherent project. Since that point, he has continued to provide invaluable advice, guidance, and patience. I have benefited immeasurably from his support and enthusiasm. Matthew Ward has been endlessly patient trawling through drafts and encouraging me to refine my argument. I would also like to thank Alastair Mann for his comments and advice on my work, as well as the other members of the history department at Stirling who have provided useful feedback. I am grateful to have benefited from comments, questions, and advice from the vibrant Eighteenth-Century Group at the university. Thanks also to the postgraduate community at Stirling for providing support, despite my working remotely. Ben, Shaun, and Katy have kept my spirits up throughout the process. My journey began as an undergraduate at the University of Strathclyde. Amongst the staff at Strathclyde, I would like to thank Allan Macinnes for sparking my interest in the eighteenth century and setting me on the path of transatlantic history, John Young for his enthusiasm in parliamentary history, and both these historians for encouraging me to pursue postgraduate research. Friends outwith the PhD have provided a welcome escape from the books. Thanks to Laura, Victoria, Lorna, Eilidh, Andrea, Hannah, and Kat for your ongoing encouragement and friendship. Lynsey has shared many cups of tea and glasses of wine to talk about both research and the real world! I’m delighted you’re now officially part 6 of the family. Thanks also to Alex and Lorna for your support and for welcoming me into your family. I could not have completed this dissertation without the support and generosity of my family. My brother Ian proofread some of my chapters, hosted me every time I visited Edinburgh, and has always been a wonderful sibling and friend. My parents Ian and Pat have been unwavering in their love, support, and encouragement. My mum also proofread large sections of my dissertation. The debt I owe my parents cannot possibly be repaid, all I can do is thank them for everything. Bilbo has been the very best PhD distraction and has brightened up the last year endlessly. My final thanks are to Chris, whose love and support has been invaluable. He has shared my highs and lows, put up with so much throughout this journey, and always known when what I needed most was to take a break. 7 8 Contents Abstract ........................................................................................................................................ 3 Acknowledgements ..................................................................................................................... 5 Contents ....................................................................................................................................... 8 List of Figures ............................................................................................................................ 10 List of Abbreviations ................................................................................................................ 11 Introduction ............................................................................................................................... 14 I. Aims and Objectives ....................................................................................... 15 II. Research Questions ......................................................................................... 16 III. Definitions, Methods, and Boundaries ............................................................ 18 IV. Current Historiography ................................................................................... 31 V. Sources and Structure ...................................................................................... 41 Chapter One: The British Army in Scotland ......................................................................... 46 I. Introduction ..................................................................................................... 48 II. The Jacobite Rebellion and the British State, 1745-46 ................................... 49 Military Adaptations .......................................................................................................... 53 British Cultural Paradigms in the Forty-Five .................................................................... 57 III. Pacification ..................................................................................................... 61 Militarisation of the Highlands .......................................................................................... 65 Changing Attitudes towards Highlanders .......................................................................... 70 IV. Conclusions ..................................................................................................... 72 Chapter Two: John Campbell, fourth Earl of Loudoun ....................................................... 76 I. Introduction ..................................................................................................... 77 II. Lord Loudoun and the French and Indian War ............................................... 78 III. Military Adaptations ....................................................................................... 83 Logistics ............................................................................................................................. 85 Irregular Warfare ............................................................................................................... 89 IV. Militarisation in North America ...................................................................... 93 Recruitment ........................................................................................................................ 93 Military Service ................................................................................................................ 100 Quartering ........................................................................................................................ 105 V. Conclusions ..................................................................................................