ABSTRACT
In 1789-90, Pitt commented little on events in France, though he would shortly regret a statement in February 1790 that the present convulsions must terminate in harmony and regular order and that the Revolution might make France less obnoxious as a neighbour since the country would enjoy that just kind of liberty which he venerated. Revolutionary governments rarely play by conventional rules and the French response to the enlarged coalition it now faced was both impressive and effective. The armies of the main European powers traditionally relied on the use of mercenaries. Britain's war strategy showed unsurprising similarities to that so successfully employed by the Elder Pitt in the 1750s. The second prong of Britain's war strategy sea power played to Britain's strength as a maritime nation. In the years 1797-1802, Britain faced a struggle for survival. British subsidies were again a potent inducement to participation, although Prussia remained aloof. The French Revolutionary wars were a failure.
