The Effects of the Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars on Cork City and County, 1790-1830

Varley, Patrick Joseph

Abstract

The region enjoyed vibrant economic growth during the periods of the wars between 1793 and 1815. This was due to a mixture of military and civilian economic stimulus. This thesis examines the different aspects of the military input to this fact and evaluates its contribution to the overall development.
It divides the military spending into areas of current and capital expenditure. Current spending is evidenced in the purchase of food for the different branches of the military and providing agency services for shipping in Cork Harbour. Capital expenditure is illustrated with examples of the building of Forts, army barracks, and a naval base.
The money put into circulation by current expenditure can be demonstrated by examining tendering invitations by the navy agents, and also by records of payment occurred by the army commissariat. That generated by capital expenditure is still evident in the military buildings in the area.
It can be said that this work opens an Irish dimension on the literature developing around the concept of the contractor state and also of the new military history. It is an area that has received minimal attention, and hopefully this thesis will be the precursor of future study.

Citation

Varley, P. J. (2021). The Effects of the Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars on Cork City and County, 1790-1830. (Thesis). University of Hull. https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/4923092

• Thesis Type: Thesis
• Deposit Date: Nov 25, 2024
• Publicly Available Date: Jul 1, 2025
• Keywords: History
• Public URL: https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/4923092
• Additional Information: Department of History; University of Hull
• Award Date: Jun 30, 2021