Download Quadrumvirate: Power in the Caribbean – British Royal Navy

Quadrumvirate: Power in the Caribbean –
British Royal Navy
JHUMUNC 2017
1
Quadrumvirate: Power in the Caribbean –
British Royal Navy
TopicA:UnificationoftheRoyalNaviesoftheKingdomofEnglandandtheKingdom
ofScotland
TopicB:MaintainingNavalControl
Overview
It is 1714 and Queen Ann has begun
working toward the unification of the
Kingdom of England and the Kingdom of
Scotland.
Scotland has recently gone
through and economic crisis, and with the
unification they will be able to have free
trade with England on their terms; however,
will these terms be suitable for the Scottish
people or will they revolt against the
unification of kingdoms? This committee is
a cabinet of high ranking military officials,
governors of British territories in the
Caribbean, and other prominent members of
British culture and intellect.
These
delegates will act as advisors to Queen Ann
to help secure stability of the British navy in
the New World. We have a breadth of
views represented in our committee, and I
trust and hope that we will reach some
comprehensive solutions and compromises
through engaging debate and much
collaboration.
The first goal of this
committee will be to ensure a successful
unification of the state and of its naval
forces. That being said, hoping the
unification is successful, the question of
British dominance in the New World is
called into question. It is up to the delegates
of this committee to ensure the economic
and political safety of their state against
European threats of Spain, the Netherlands,
and the Pirates in the New World. The fate
of the British Empire now rests in the hands
of the delegates of this committee. Will the
British prove to be the superpower they are
known to be or will they fall prey to the
maritime superiority of another state? You
decide.
ParliamentaryProcedure
Delegates of the Quadrumvirate will
follow standard parliamentary procedure
throughout the conference, but will spend
the majority of conference debate using
moderated caucuses without the use of a
speaker list in order to encourage very
comprehensive debate and have the ability
to immediately respond to whatever crises
may arise.
Additionally, delegates are
encouraged to use both their portfolio
powers and crisis notes to attempt to push
the direction of committee in a way that will
further their cabinet member’s aspirations.
Delegates will also be encouraged to bring
about discourse with the three remaining
navies within the Quad to provide
substantial debate and alliances throughout
the conference. DelegateBiographies
JamesDouglas
James Douglas was a Scottish
nobleman that served as the Second Duke of
Queensberry and the First Duke of Dover.
2
He also served as the Lord High Treasurer
of Scotland, Keeper of the Privy Seal of
Scotland, Lord High Commissioner to the
Parliament of Scotland and Secretary of
State for Scotland. Douglas, a prominent
politician in Scotland and the Lord High
Treasurer of Scotland, recognized the need
for the union due to the economic downturn
the Scots were facing, but similar to many
other Scottish politicians, he criticized their
lack of representation in the union.
warships. Admiral Gordon, as the captain of
the Royal Mary and serving with the
Imperial Russian Navy, offered the unique
perspective of defense. Additionally, his
work with another navy would prove to be
useful in regards to working toward the
union of two different states and working
with a style he was not necessarily trained
with.
SirAnthonyDeane
He served as an officer of the British
Royals Navy for more than 60 years and
during three wars. He was seen as an expert
and veteran commander in shipbuilding and
seamanship. He spent his career as a
shipman and became a known veteran of the
trade.
He will prove to be highly
knowledgeable and useful when working to
ensure a harmonious union of the naval
forces against the French threat.
He served as the mayor of Harwich,
Master Shipwright, commercial shipbuilder,
naval architect and a member of the
Parliament. Between the years of 1666 and
1667, he designed and built 24 ships for the
Royal Navy. Deane later published the book
Doctrine for Naval Architecture in 1670.
Deane, while also a politician, will perhaps
be most useful in terms of understanding the
shipbuilding business, as he served as
Master Shipwright, commercial shipbuilder,
and naval architect.
SidneyGodolphin
HenrideMassue
He was the Earl of Godolphin and
the First Lord of the Treasury, during which
he played a crucial role of negotiating and
passing the Acts of the Union of 1707.
Godolphin played a crucial role of
negotiating and passing the Acts of the
Union of 1707 and was a major proponent of
the union. As First Lord of the Treasury, his
knowledge in economics and inner workings
of the union will prove to be beneficial to
the cabinet.
Massue was of French descent and
served in the French army under Turenne
prior to his forfeiting of French estates due
to the exile of Huguenots. He was selected
by William III of England to join the
English Navy as a major general and later
served as the Earl of Galaway. His time
under Turenne provides him with invaluable
knowledge of the workings of the French
military, the same military that the
unification was formed to defend against.
AdmiralThomasGordon
SirJohnBalchen
Admiral Gordon served as a
commodore of the Royal Scots Navy and
also served as an Admiral of the Imperial
Russian Navy. He was the captain of the
Royal Mary, a ship of the Royal Scots
Navy, with the intention of protecting
Scotland against privateers and enemy
GovernorThomasHandasyd
Governor Handasyd was an English
soldier that was later promoted to Governor
of Jamaica, due to his high ranking status of
Major General in the military.. Governor
Handasyd placed his focus on the security of
his island of Jamaica, which would require a
strong naval force.
Consequently, he
3
favoured the
collaboration.
union
and
encouraged
MidshipmanJohnnyCooks
Johnny Cooks was a member of the
Royal Navy, but did not serve in a political
or high-ranking position. While Cooks was
not a high-ranking official of the Royal
Navy, he represents the general ideology of
the average shipman in the navy. As the
sole representation of the general navy, his
opinion is one held in high regard due to his
connection to the average navy person and
the influence his opinion can make on the
retention of navy men.
AdmiralEdwardVernon
Admiral Vernon was a member of
the Royal Navy, and later became a member
of Parliament. His knowledge of the people
and of the military will be beneficial to the
cabinet. As a highly educated and
experienced member of the Royal Navy,
Admiral Vernon can provide crucial insight
into fighting the Spanish Navy in the
Mediterranean and in the British Isles.
GovernorMitfordCrowe
Governor Crowe served as a
Member of Parliament for Southampton
before being nominated to be governor of
Barbados. He was not given this title and
instead worked as a diplomatic agent in
Catalonia. He later was nominated again to
become the governor of Barbados, and
eventually served this position for 4 years.
Crowe’s experiences during his contentious
rise to \ power as Governor of Barbados will
prove to be useful in the handling of illtempered and individuals who do not view
the union as a success. Governor Crowe’s
main concern is with the island of Barbados,
so he favors a strong Navy that can defend
his Caribbean colony. He therefore supports
the unification of the states.
CaptainThomasCoram
Captain Coram served as a captain in
the Royal Navy, but was best remembered
for his work as a philanthropist. He founded
the London Foundling Hospital to look after
abandoned children. His philanthropic
service offers a different perspective for the
cabinet. He is well connected in Britain and
can provide power and influence in the
community that his money brings.
CommodoreJamesLittleton
Littleton, as a Vice Admiral and
Commander-in-Chief of Jamaica Station,
will be concerned with the ability to defend
his ports. This requires a large and powerful
Navy, so he supports the unification of
England and Scotland. He later served as a
Member of Parliament for different
constituencies. His work with different
constituencies will be crucial when working
with the members of society that are not in
this cabinet due to his various connections
across the state.
SirMatthewAylmer
1st Baron Aylmer was an Irish Royal
navy officer who was named Commanderin-Chief of the Navy in November of 1709,
but the title was later revoked then restored
once again. He was also appointed to the
position of Governor of Greenwich Hospital.
His work in the Irish Royal Navy provides
the unique knowledge of the workings of a
different military. Additionally, his tenure
as Governor of Greenwich Hospital holds
influence in different classes than that of the
average naval officer. As with most forms of
art, they can be sued to either garner support
or can prove to be detrimental to a cause,
which makes Monamy invaluable. It is
essential to use the artistic community to the
advantage of the state and work with these
influential members of society.
4
PeterMonamy
Monamy came from a family of
prominent merchants and residents, but
became an English marine painter. There is
a period of time in which there is no record
of Monamy, but it is suspected he spent time
in Cork, Ireland during this period.
GeneralJohnChurchill
General John Churchill: General
John Churchill: General Churchill provides
experience in both the naval world and the
political sphere. He fought in alliance with
the Dutch navy for a time, giving him
insider knowledge into the workings of the
opponent’s forces. He is also a master
statesman who served under five rulers, and
he is especially close to Anne through her
friendship with his wife. However, some
may not trust him as he was once accused of
treason. 1
HenrySaintJohn,1stViscount
Bolingbroke
Saint John was an English
philosopher and politician. He was opposed
to theology, but was a supporter of the
Church of England. He later escaped to
France on counts of treason, but that was
reversed and he returned to England. Henry
Saint John was the embodiment of what
threatened the navy following the uniondesertion and treason. He is regarded with
caution but also with respect due to his
previous experiences and how they can be
applied to ensuring retention of the members
of the navy. SirJohnSmith
schooling at St John’s College, Oxford and
Middle Temple. He was first elected a
Member of Parliament and later became
Lord of the Treasury, Speaker of the House
of Commons of England, Chancellor of the
Exchequer twice, and he was the first
Speaker of the House of Commons of Great
Britain following the Acts of Union 1707.
This position makes him a crucial member
of the cabinet and of determining the
success of the state. He was also well
versed in economics due to his political
roles.
RobertHarley,1stEarlofOxfordandEarl
Mortimer
He was a British politician and
statesman that led to his role as Lord High
Treasurer, Chancellor of the Exchequer and
Speaker of the House of Commons of
England. Harley maintained his position as
a prominent Englishmen throughout the
multiple positions. Because of this, he has
connections and insight to multiple aspects
of the population and will be useful when it
comes to debating and negotiating among
different social and working classes. 1st Earl
of Oxford and Earl Mortimer: Harley was a
trusted advisor to Queen Anne, though he
clashed with John Churchill and Sidney
Godolphin over political beliefs. Under
William III, Harley called for a smaller
Navy and a reduced budget. He also
directed the war against the French in the
early 1700s, giving him vital experience
against one of England’s greatest enemies.2
SirJohnNorris
Smith was an English politician that
began his political career after he completed
Norris was an officer of the Royal
Navy and Admiral of the Fleet. During his
tenure, he was instructed to take his
Burton, Ivor F. "John Churchill, 1st Duke of
Marlborough." Encyclopedia Britannica,
www.britannica.com/biography/John-Churchill-1stduke-of-Marlborough. Accessed 7 Oct. 2016.
Morrill, John S. "Robert Harley, 1st Earl of
Oxford." Encyclopedia Britannica,
www.britannica.com/biography/Robert-Harley-1stearl-of-Oxford. Accessed 7 Oct. 2016.
1
2
5
squadron and protect the British settlements
on the Hudson Bay in America. His
expertise of naval activities will prove to be
useful to the cabinet. Sir John Norris:
Norris has an abundance of experience in
the Royal Navy and rose to his station from
the lower ranks, giving him insight into the
feelings of enlisted sailors. His opinion on
the unification of the navies will be valued
in terms of expeditions in the New World,
which generally requires a larger Navy.
However, his political experience in
working closely with Queen Anne and
Sidney Godolphin will not be disregarded.3
AdmiralGeorgeByng
Admiral Byng served in the Royal
Navy and was promoted to Admiral of the
Fleet and Commander-in-Chief prior to his
retirement. Furthermore, he was granted
permission to negotiate with princes and
states of Italy on behalf of England, and was
later named Treasurer of the Navy and RearAdmiral of Great Britain. His negotiation,
persuasion and communication abilities
should be viewed as a highly regarded asset
to the cabinet.
RobertHunter
Robert Hunter was born in
Edinburgh, Scotland and was apprenticed to
an apothecary before he ran away and chose
to join the British army. He quickly rose to
the rank of general. He then began a
diplomatic career which included Lieutenant
Governor of Virginia, 3rd Colonial Governor
of New Jersey, 19th Colonial Governor of
New York, and Governor of Jamaica.
Similar to the other governors, the union did
not directly impact the everyday workings of
3
Hanham, Andrew A. "NORRIS, Sir John (c.16711749), of Benenden, Kent, and St. Paul’s, Covent
Garden, London." History of Parliament Online,
www.historyofparliamentonline.org/volume/16901715/member/norris-sir-john-1671-1749. Accessed
7 Oct. 2016.
the job of Governor Hunter, but still the
governors favoured the union in an effort to
achieve the strongest naval force as a means
to defend their territory against attacks.
BackgroundInformationonthe
BritishGovernment
Although Britain’s government has
been and still is a monarchy, there are
checks on the King or Queen. Despite an the
lack of a constitution for country, there are
still limitations on the monarch’s power.4
These checks are exercised by the
Parliament, Great Britain’s the legislative
branch. The British parliament is divided
into two houses: the House of Lords and the
House of Commons. The House of
Commons consisted of Members of
Parliament (MPs) elected by the people
(though voters consisted primarily of a small
batch of wealthy men). The House of Lords
consisted of Lords (Peers) who are either
selected by the Monarch or have inherited
their titles from their families. 5
Before the Acts of 1707, England
and Scotland were regarded as separate
countries and hence had separate
parliaments. The Parliament of Scotland was
unicameral while that of England’s was
bicameral (House of Commons and House
of Lords). However, with the enactment of
the Acts of 1707, the Scottish parliament
was dissolved and merged with the thenexisting English Parliament to form the
Parliament of Great Britain.6 Forty-five
Scottish Members of Parliament (MPs) were
4
"What Is the UK Constitution?" The Constitution
Unit. University College of London, n.d. Web. 5
"How Members Are Appointed." House of Lords.
Parliament.uk, n.d. Web. 6
“The Last Scottish Parliament.” Scottish
Referendum. BBC. n.d. Web. 6
added to the House of Commons and 16
Scottish Lords were added to the House of
Lords.7 This newly-founded Parliament still
met at Westminster, the site of the former
Parliament of England.
During Queen Anne’s reign, the rise
of a two-party system pitted the Whigs and
the Tories against each other.8 Under her
rule, the Tories were characterized as the
resistance party towards greater religious
tolerance and foreign involvement, whereas
the Whigs were associated with the
aristocracy and wealthy middle-class.9
Although Queen Anne hoped to oversee
mixed ministries, the year following the
Acts of Union, the Whigs came to dominate
the political scene.10 Ministers to the Queen
helped her rule the country and could be
appointed or dismissed by her Majesty.11 It
is important to note that at this time, there is
no Prime Minister (PM) for Great Britain.12
7
Mitchison, A History of Scotland, p. 314
8
"Anne (1665-1714)." BBC UK. BBC, n.d.
Web. 07 Oct. 2016. 9
"Whig and Tory." Encyclopedia Britannica
Online. Encyclopedia Britannica, n.d. Web. 07
Oct. 2016. 10
"Whig and Tory." Encyclopedia Britannica
Online. Encyclopedia Britannica, n.d. Web. 07
Oct. 2016. 11
C
N Trueman "Queen Anne"
historylearningsite.co.uk. The History
Learning Site, 17 Mar 2015. 07 Oct. 2016.
BlocPositions
The men of this cabinet are all of
different backgrounds and experiences.
Each will contribute uniquely to the cause of
unification, although they do fall into four
main categories of skills and beliefs. These
classifications serve to show the different
aspects of unification and who will provide
useful counsel in regard to varying issues
that may arise. However, all of these men
are looking for the most beneficial
arrangement that will allow for a heavier
focus on international conflict in the near
future.
Overseas colonies bloc (Robert Hunter,
Commodore James Littleton, Governor
Mitford Crowe, Governor Thomas
Handasyd)
These members of the committee
will be most concerned with the protection
of their overseas territories, meaning they
are likely to support a strong and unified
navy, though they will not be as worried
about the political and economic effects
occurring in England and Scotland. They
may also push for a larger navy that can
afford to send more men to the New World,
especially in the Caribbean area, where they
are surrounded by other colonial powers.
Naval unification bloc (John Balchen,
Thomas Gordon, Sir Anthony Deane,
HenrideMassue,JohnnyCooks,Edward
Vernon,JohnChurchill,HenrySaintJohn)
This collection of men is likely to be
most interested in naval strategy, soldier
morale, and cohesion between the two
navies. They will be key in the transition
from separate to combined navies, working
to enforce uniformity and discipline
amongst the sailors without creating
dissatisfaction in the ranks. They may not
agree on every aspect of the unification, but
7
12
"Past Prime Ministers." -
GOV.UK. Government of the United Kingdom,
n.d. Web. 07 Oct. 2016. they work towards the same goal, and
certain members can provide key insight to
the average sailor’s feelings.
Political unification bloc (Sidney
Godolphin, Sir John Norris, Thomas
Coram, John Smith, Matthew Aylmer,
PeterMonamy)
This bloc will probably be most
concerned with the political and economic
unification of Scotland and England. They
know that dissent within their borders will
hinder operations overseas against the
Spanish, Dutch, and rogue pirates. They
will work to ensure Scotland is satisfied
with the terms of the Acts of the Union of
1707. They are also likely to be interested
in the budget surrounding the new navy,
considering that a larger navy inevitably
means more money will be spent. The
members of this bloc can also influence the
artistic and aristocratic realm.
Dissenters (James Douglas, Robert
Harley)
These two men are likely to have
issues with the unification of Scotland and
England. James Douglas will be concerned
about
Scotland’s
representation
in
Parliament, and his positions make him
highly influential in his home country.
Robert Harley will probably oppose certain
aspects of the unification of the navies, as he
previously called for a smaller military force
and a smaller budget, though he does have
experience with warfare that may be
valuable. His time serving closely with
Queen Anne also makes him very influential
at the highest level of government.
Topic A: Unification of the
Royal Navies of the Kingdom
of England and the Kingdom of
Scotland
Introduction
The Act of Union in 1707 proved to
be a powerful and strategic unification of
two monarchies.
While the idea of
unification had been brought into question
before, it was at this point in history that the
two states recognized their mutually
beneficial relationship this would bring. For
England, Scotland would be able to serve as
a safeguard against potential French threats,
while Scotland was able to gain economic
security through the unification. The union
allowed for free trade between England and
Scotland. Moreover, both states were able
to retain their own laws and courts, in
addition to their churches. Furthering the
idea of increased security for the states
would be the unification of at that point the
greatest naval force with another navy, only
furthering their superiority. In the treaty that
took effect on May 1, 1707, the Scots were
granted a total of 45 commoners and 16
lords in Parliament.13 This was viewed by
many as a vast underrepresentation of
Scotland in the new Parliament and a point
of contention for many and a potential
reason for disillusionment of the recently
unified navy. This point of contention was
not just a point in history, but instead
remained a part of general policy and a point
of contention for the years surrounding the
unification. 13
"ActofUnion".EncyclopediaBritannica.
EncyclopædiaBritannicaOnline.
EncyclopædiaBritannicaInc.,2016.Web.1Jul.
2016
<https://www.britannica.com/event/Act-ofUnion-Great-Britain-1707>.
8
HistoryandBackground
Information
Prior to the Acts of Union 1707,
there was another unification between the
Scottish and English monarchies in 1603.
When the then Queen of England passed
with no child our spouse to become the heir
to the throne. Instead, the crown was given
to the next in line, which was James VI,
King of Scotland. The King of Scotland
then became the King of England as well in
what was known as the union of the
crowns.14 This union ended the Royal Scots
Navy of Scotland and encouraged the
merger of the Royal Navy, over one hundred
years prior to the Acts of Union 1707, in
1603. While their naval forces had aligned
together, most aspects of the two states
remained the same, including separate
parliaments, laws, religion and currency.15
The idea of a fully unified kingdom
of Scotland and England was not a new one.
This idea had been proposed multiple times,
often to the same Members of Parliament
that voted to pass the Acts of Union 1707;
however, at this point there was a difference.
At this specific time, it would be beneficial
to both Scotland and England to become one
unified kingdom with the capabilities of
retaining their own laws and courts and
religion. England’s need to be able to fight
off France was met with Scotland’s need for
economic security, especially free trade.
Prior the Acts of Union 1707, the terms of
the unification of the crowns were debated
thoroughly by both sides. In 1703, the
Scottish
Parliament
demanded
the
14
"Union of the Crowns." UK Parliament. N.p.,
n.d. Web. 2 July 2016. 15
"Union of the Crowns 1603." - Union of
Crowns to Union of Parliaments. N.p., n.d.
Web. 25 June 2016. agreement to the Act of Security, which
provided them the opportunity to not accept
the designated person as successor to the
crown of England.16 This was greatly
opposed by the Queen, but was later met
with their own security measure, the Aliens
Act of 1705 which would deem any Scots
not living in England or serving in their
army or navy aliens following Christmas
Day 1705 unless the issue of succession was
resolved.17 Ultimately, the Acts of Union
1707 were agreed upon by both states and
went into effect May 1, 1707.
This
officially organized the two naval forces into
one, despite already being merged as a result
of King James VI and the Union of the
Crowns.18
UnificationoftheEnglishand
ScottishNavies
It was under Article 5 of the Acts of
Union 1707 in which the unified navy was
officially formed, to remain under the name
of the United Kingdom of Great Britain as
per Article 1 of the Acts.19 Article 5 states:
“That all Ships or Vessels, belonging
to her Majesty’s Subjects of
Scotland, at the Time of ratifying the
Treaty of Union of the two
Kingdoms, in the Parliament of
Scotland, though foreign built, be
deemed, and pass as Ships of the
Build of Great-Britain; the Owner, or
where there are more Owners, one or
more of the Owners, within twelve
16
"Act of Security - Oxford Reference." Act of
Security - Oxford Reference. Oxford University
Press, n.d. Web. 16 June 2016. 17
"WestminsterPassestheAlienAct1705."UK
Parliament.UnitedKingdomParliament,n.d.Web.
16June2016.
18
UnionoftheCrowns(1603).Print.
19
ActofUnion1707,§Article1(1707).Print.
9
Months after the first of May next,
making Oath, that, at the Time of
ratifying the Treaty of Union in the
Parliament of Scotland, the same did,
in whole, or in part, belong to him or
them, or to some other Subject or
Subjects of Scotland, to be
particularly named, with the Place of
their respective Abodes; and that the
same doth then, at the time of the
said Deposition, wholly belong to
him, or them, and that no Foreigner,
directly or indirectly, hath any Share,
Part, or Interest therein. Which Oath
shall be made before the chief
Officer or Officers of the Customs,
in the Port next to the Abode of the
said Owner or Owners: And the said
Officer or Officers, shall be
empowered to administrate the said
Oath: And the Oath being so
administrated, shall be attested by
the Officer or Officers, who
administrated the same. And, being
registered by the said Officer or
Officers, shall be delivered to the
Master of the Ship for Security of
her Navigation; and a Duplicate
thereof shall be transmitted by the
said Officer or Officers, to the chief
Officer or Officers of the Customs in
the Port of Edinburgh, to be there
entered in a Register, and from
thence to be sent to the Port of
London, to be there entered in the
general Register of all trading ships
belonging to Great-Britain.”20
Despite the specific plans and
ideologies laid out in the articles, the articles
and unification were not without fault.
Articles such as these, along with most other
20
ActofUnion1707,§Article5(1707).Print.
aspects of the agreement, gave the majority
of the power to England and left the citizens
and government of Scotland lacking;
however, despite the skewed balance of
power and clear problems within the
articles, they served as a starting point and
basis of the unification of the two navies for
the Kingdom of Great Britain under one
crown. RogueMembersoftheUnified
Navy
GovernmentBreachesoftheTreatyand
TriesatEarlyDisillusionment
The Acts of Union 1707 were
viewed by many members of the lower
classes in Scotland as a direct attempt for the
elite in Scotland to pursue solely their
interests and was therefore
widely
21
opposed.
This opposition was due to
nearly unrestricted power that the Scottish
Parliament had maintained previously and
the subsequent underrepresentation in the
new Parliament. Additionally, sentiment of
the union in England was not one of content.
Many of the governing elite in England
viewed this as an experiment that would not
last and would cease to exist fairly quickly.22
In addition to early apprehension,
following the formal union, there were
consistent government breaches of the treaty
which nearly led to the demise of the union
from 1708-1713. These breaches by the
British government included encroaching
upon areas that were preserved by Scottish
21
"UK Parliament." [ARCHIVED CONTENT]
Internet Memory. United Kingdom Parliament,
Early Disillusion, n.d. Web. 23 June 2016. 22
"UK Parliament." [ARCHIVED CONTENT]
Internet Memory. United Kingdom Parliament,
Early Dissillusion, n.d. Web. 23 June 2016. 10
law and higher taxes on the Scots,
particularly the new tax on malt, which
would have crippled the Scottish brewing
industry. The problems were so vast that
there was a vote to dissolve the union. The
vote was defeated in the House of Lords by
four votes.23 Given the near failure of the
unification and almost disillusionment, it
was apparent that the need for change and
cohesion was essential in order for the Royal
Navy to remain the most prominent and
powerful navy in the world. The largest
problem facing the new government is
forming cooperation and retention of its
citizens and military members, while also
maintaining a strong economic status in
order to fund the necessary endeavours.
This will not be an easy feat, but forming
one, solid state is the key to forming a
hegemonic state. QuestionstheCommitteeMust
Address
●
●
●
● As with any major political change
there will be apprehension towards
the change. That being said, it is of
utmost
importance
that
the
unification goes smoothly, especially
in regards to the military. What can
be done to minimize the backlash
from the change to prevent future
conflict within the united state? ● Given the mistrust and discontent of
the Scots following the establishment
of their lack of representation in the
new government, what can be done
to appease the Scots and provide
23
"UK Parliament." [ARCHIVED CONTENT]
Internet Memory. United Kingdom Parliament,
Government Breaches the Treaty, n.d. Web. 23
June 2016. ●
●
them with an option outside of
higher representation in an effort to
also remain loyal to the English? Given the threat of Scots wanting to
overthrow the current government
structure in an effort to gain fair and
just representation, what can be done
by the Cabinet to ensure the safety
and retention of the current
monarchy? Moreover, if the Queen
were to be overthrown, what can be
done to preserve the current
governmental structure and stability
that currently exists? Given the nature of the governmental
restructure, what can be done to
ensure a stable naval force,
especially against the pressing threat
of the French naval forces?
Moreover, what can be done to form
one cohesive naval force as opposed
to the previous two separate entities? During political turmoil and change,
the arts often affect the social
opinion of the subject matter. What
can this body do to provide a
positive outlook and minimize the
negative arts about the unification? Due to the nature of the union, it is
thought
to
be
economically
beneficial to both monarchies. What
are potential harms that could come
about to the economy? Is there a
way to reduce the negative fallout
while providing more resources for
the naval forces? The threat of piracy and rogue
soldiers is present in every military,
but with the union the chance has
increased due to the discontent
among some seamen. How does the
British navy prevent these rogue
seamen and if they are present, what
can be done to eliminate the
problems they are sure to cause?
11
ConcludingRemarks
As an island state, it is of the utmost
importance for England to have the most
superior naval fleet, especially with the
ongoing threat the French poses. Moreover,
Scotland is in need of an economic upturn,
in order to create the conditions conducive
to a full unification of the states, following
the previous Union of the Crowns in 1603.
Despite the idea that the union of the two
states was mutually beneficial, the
unification has been met with backlash from
both monarchies. The Scots are especially
sceptical due to the lack of representation in
the new government; however, by joining
forces, they have been able to create a Navy
that is rivalled by few, if any, others. The
question then becomes, how will they
maintain this naval superiority, and what can
they do to maintain the position of the global
hegemonic naval power?
Topic B: Maintaining Naval
Control
Introduction
As the unification of Scotland and
Great Britain comes to a close, the need for
a British navy is essential, especially in
regards to the eminent threat of other
European states. As delegates, it is your job
in this committee to maintain a balance of
power within the system and create stability
within the organization.
Given the
economic crisis of Scotland, many people
are turning to outside sources for monetary
aid, so the threat of defectors from the
Kingdom turning to piracy is prevalent. The
threat that defectors pose to your economic,
social and political stability is far greater
than could ever be anticipated. Not only
would they harm society and your naval
forces as a whole, but the risk of the high
ranking officers defecting is too great to
ignore. Not only do they have an incredible
understanding of the overall navy, but they
also have inside knowledge into the
upcoming naval plans and operations that
have been planned. It is imperative that you
maintain positive relations with all members
of your naval force, especially those who
could threaten national security interests if
they were to defect from the Royal Navy.
You must work to protect your new
Kingdom and its citizens from the threat of
defectors and the threat of piracy from other
rival states such as the Navies of Spain and
the Netherlands. If you are successful, your
position of dominance in the New World
will remain, but if not, the threat of other
piracy and European threats is inevitable. 12
ExpansionofNavalForces
As the unification of England and
Scotland is solidified, it has become
apparent that Great Britain has a significant
advantage in regards to naval forces. During
the 18th century, the Dutch Navy, a direct
rival of naval force, was in decline and was
proving to be no match for the naval force of
Great Britain. The forces of Spain were also
on the decline during this time. The threat
facing all of these states is that of desertion
and the devastation it can bring to a navy.
This threat became increasingly apparent as
the rise of pirates became known, a group
primarily sourced by those that were
unhappy with their current naval forces and
governments.
The pirates have the
knowledge of the different militaries
necessary in order to combat them and bring
them down, so the goal is to retain the
members of the navy to not only remain the
strongest against the other European forces,
but more importantly, against the rise of
piracy. History
Since the late 9th century, England
has been slowly developing a navy capable
to protect the English coastline from Viking
raiders.24 King Alfred was the first to build a
navy in order to defeat the Danes, but over
the course of the middle ages, England
slowly developed a navy capable of going
beyond its borders, even entering France
during the Hundred Years War of the 14th
and 15th century.25 More recently, the
24
"Three Centuries of Naval History under One
Roof." Three Centuries of Naval History under
One Roof. The National Museum, n.d. Web. 08
Oct. 2016. 25
"Three Centuries of Naval History under One
Roof." Three Centuries of Naval History under
English navy transformed into a permanent
force, called the Royal Navy, whose mission
is to protect the English coastline, enhance
English trading abilities around the world,
and allow England to build and maintain a
global empire.26
Henry VIII is generally considered
the founder of this modern navy, greatly
expanding ports and warships available to
the navy.27 England’s Navy only became a
formidable force after the defeat of the
Spanish Armada in 1588.28 During the first
half of the 17th century, the English were
forced to change their lax stance on pirates
when Barbary pirates started attacking their
merchant ships.29 England was also forced
to end corruption and the horrendous shipbuilding in the post-Elizabeth I era as
Cardinal Richelieu quickly built up a
formidable French navy.30 In general, the
Tudors put much more effort into building a
strong navy than the Stuarts. One mistake by
the Stuarts even had a massive impact in
One Roof. The National Museum, n.d. Web. 08
Oct. 2016. 26
"Three Centuries of Naval History under One
Roof." Three Centuries of Naval History under
One Roof. The National Museum, n.d. Web. 08
Oct. 2016. 27
"PROTECTING OUR NATION'S
INTERESTS." Royal Navy. Royal Navy, n.d.
Web. 08 Oct. 2016. 28
"Three Centuries of Naval History under One
Roof." Three Centuries of Naval History under
One Roof. The National Museum, n.d. Web. 08
Oct. 2016. 29
"Three Centuries of Naval History under One
Roof." Three Centuries of Naval History under
One Roof. The National Museum, n.d. Web. 08
Oct. 2016. 30
By 1631, He Had Increased France's Fleet of
Ships. "British Royal Navy - 17th Century."
British Royal Navy - 17th Century. Sirclisto, n.d.
Web. 09 Oct. 2016. 13
bringing on the English Civil War, with
Charles I attempting to tax the entire nation
for ship building instead of just the coastal
towns. While it was incredibly unpopular,
Charles I claimed it was fair since the
English Navy was now not just protecting
coastal towns, but also roaming the world
protecting British interests.31
Once the English Civil War was
under way, Cromwell and his followers
were forced to build up the navy since the
other European powers, namely France and
Spain, were not happy with the English
monarchy being kicked out of power. The
English also had to worry about the Dutch,
who were incredibly unhappy after the
English declared only English ships could
enter English harbors.32 This caused the
Anglo-Dutch War, an affair that lasted for
20 years during the 1650s - 1670s, again
convincing the English that they needed a
stronger navy. During this time, the navy
was officially renamed the Royal Navy after
the monarchy was restored under Charles
II.33
Since then England has had to
compete with the Dutch, French, and pirates
for supremacy on the seas of the North
Atlantic, and recently, the Caribbean. The
Spanish theoretically had control over all of
31
By 1631, He Had Increased France's Fleet of
Ships. "British Royal Navy - 17th Century."
British Royal Navy - 17th Century. Sirclisto, n.d.
Web. 09 Oct. 2016. 32
By 1631, He Had Increased France's Fleet of
Ships. "British Royal Navy - 17th Century."
British Royal Navy - 17th Century. Sirclisto, n.d.
Web. 09 Oct. 2016. 33
By 1631, He Had Increased France's Fleet of
Ships. "British Royal Navy - 17th Century."
British Royal Navy - 17th Century. Sirclisto, n.d.
Web. 09 Oct. 2016. the Caribbean after the Treaty of
Tordesillas, but didn’t have the military
resources to prevent colonists and merchants
from establishing posts throughout the
region.34 Piracy also exploded as the
colonists and merchants needed help getting
around Spanish rules.35 The height of piracy
in the Caribbean was from 1640 to 1680 and
produced very serious problems for the three
most powerful nations with holdings in the
region.36 Throughout the second half of the
17th century, Spanish, Dutch, French, and
English forces constantly fought each other
and the pirates with one location, St.
Eustatius changing hands 10 times between
1674 and 1684!37 By the end of the 17th
century, geopolitics had become much more
settled in the Caribbean as the major powers
began turning their energies against the
pirates instead of each other. At the same
time, as the 18th century begins, the Royal
Navy needs more help than ever from
Scottish sailors in order to maintain its
global navy and become ever more powerful
34
"Unique Facts About the Caribbean: Piracy in
the Caribbean." Unique Facts About the
Caribbean: Piracy in the Caribbean. Sheppard
Software, n.d. Web. 09 Oct. 2016. 35
"Unique Facts About the Caribbean: Piracy in
the Caribbean." Unique Facts About the
Caribbean: Piracy in the Caribbean. Sheppard
Software, n.d. Web. 09 Oct. 2016. 36
"Unique Facts About the Caribbean: Piracy in
the Caribbean." Unique Facts About the
Caribbean: Piracy in the Caribbean. Sheppard
Software, n.d. Web. 09 Oct. 2016. 37
"Unique Facts About the Caribbean: Piracy in
the Caribbean." Unique Facts About the
Caribbean: Piracy in the Caribbean. Sheppard
Software, n.d. Web. 09 Oct. 2016. 14
compared to the Dutch, French, pirates, and
other potential new foes.
RecentInternationalAction
Following the English Civil Wars—
concluding in 1651—there existed a
rebalancing of powers in the Western stage.
England’s Southeast rivals, particularly the
Dutch and French, began to fortify and
consolidate their own maritime powers.
However, the execution of Charles I
initiated great change to the navy, as the
new monarch, Charles II identified
England’s naval weakness and responded by
investing great resources into the naval
program. The choice of naval expansion was
particular practical, given the inherent
territorial vulnerability England had as an
island, and its allowance of commercial
expansion. This latter point of economic
growth incurred by trade, became a defining
notion of Charles II’s “blue water” policy, in
which naval expansion and commercial
expansion were thought of as mutual
processes.38 However, the presence of
pirates has often challenged the sanctity of
this policy, and mitigated the effects of
trade.
Now, the unification of Scotland
presents the Royal Navy with a particularly
appealing opportunity. After all, while the
Royal Scottish Navy and English Royal
Navy have operated ostensibly as a single
force, no formal declaration has unified
these two entities until now. Recent years has cultivated an
internal power struggle over control of the
Navy. In the late-17th century, the commons
and admiralty in the Parliament hoped to
establish authority over the Navy. In 1699,
38
John Brewer. The Sinews of Power: War,
Money and the English State, 1688-1783. New
York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1989. 11.
the Tory government—comprising of many
admirals—regained
control
of
the
government, and in a matter of three years
bequeathed control of the navy to the Lord
Admiral.39 The post has since been given to
Queen Anne’s husband Prince George,
however recent speculation has questioned
the health status of the Prince. Future naval
leadership is certainly a popular topic these
days. If a new leader were to be appointed,
the global strategies for the Navy may also
evolve.
The Spanish War of Succession has
also recently ended. Conflict began when
Louis XIV refused to remove Philip V from
the line of succession for the French throne.
This left open the possibility that Philip V
could rule a combined France and Spain.
Louis XIV began to give France more power
through
barring
England
and
the
Netherlands from trade with Spain. With
England already feeling alienated, the final
straw occurred when Louis XIV decided to
recognize the former king of England’s son,
James Francis Edward Stuart, as king,
instead of William III. The war began with
battles occurring all over Europe. Several
countries allied together including England,
Austria, the Netherlands, and the Holy
Roman Empire. These countries believed
that the Archduke Charles should be the
King of Spain. In 1711, the war began to
slow down as alliances between countries
weakened, and Archduke Charles was
named the next Emperor to the Holy Roman
Empire after the death of Emperor.40
39
Ibid
40
"War of the Spanish Succession." New World
Encyclopedia. Accessed July 10, 2016.
http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Spanish
_Empire#.22God_is_Spanish.22_.281596.E2.80.931
626.29.
15
Countries no longer wanted him to be King
of Spain, as it would upset and swing the
balance of power toward Austria, the same
way King Philip V had for France. In 1714,
the war officially ended with the Peace of
Utrecht, and Philip V remained the King of
Spain.41 He had to remove himself from the
French line of succession and Spain had to
give up the Spanish Netherland and parts of
Italy. King Philip V also allowed Great
Britain the right to slave trade for up to
thirty years in Spanish America. The war
has nearly solidified England’s role as the
ruler of the sea. As Britain has continued to
gain control of the Mediterranean, France
has begun to rethink traditional maritime
war strategies. As countries, like France,
continue to adopt its’ Navies to
accommodate to current times, England’s
Navy must be prepared for the unexpected.
QuestionstheCommitteeMust
Address
● How do you convince sailors to
remain with the British navy when
there may be more lucrative options
from
pirates
and
foreign
governments? Why should Scots in
the midst of a recession join the navy
of a nation they’ve only just united
under when there is easy money to
be made from piracy?
● If a sailor chooses to defect from the
Royal Navy, what can be done to
ensure naval plans are not shared
with opposing navies or pirates.
Additionally, what is the ability of
this cabinet to defend themselves
against defectors and the harm they
would inevitably cause? 41
Ibid.
● How do you convince Scots that they
should owe their allegiance to Great
Britain and not to pirates or foreign
governments that could weaken their
newly joined country?
● What is the perfect balance between
the navy, parliament, and the Queen
in combatting piracy and keeping the
British navy one of the strongest in
the world? Who should hold the
power to appoint admirals, determine
when attacks are necessary, and raise
money for naval adventures around
the world?
● In an age of global expansion, is
remaining isolationist to the rest of
the world even an option? To what
extent does Great Britain, with its
Royal Navy, have an obligation to
monitor maritime activity?
ConcludingRemarks
It is quite apparent that at this time
the contest for strongest navy is in full force
and this competition for naval hegemonic
power will only continue to grow. As the
other naval forces continue to grow, so does
the Royal Navy, but not without its own
problems. The threat of desertion and
treason is high, exacerbated by the recent
union of the two navies, and this alone poses
a greater threat to the navy than nearly any
outside force. Member retention and loyalty
is the largest and most credible threat to the
fate of the Royal Navy. It is of paramount
importance that the British retain their
position as the world’s strongest and best
naval force. It is up to this committee to
form strong connections and solutions to the
problems facing the naval forces of today.
This cabinet must use any and all means
necessary to remain as the paramount navy.
It is up to you, cabinet members, to decide
what navy will reign supreme. God save the
Queen, and God save the Royal Navy. 16