Defence of the Realm Act 1803 facts for kids
| Act of Parliament | |
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| Long title | An Act to enable his Majesty more effectually to provide for the Defence and Security of the Realm during the present War; and for indemnifying Persons who may suffer in their Property by such Measures as may be necessary for that Purpose. |
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| Citation | 43 Geo. 3 c. 55 |
| Introduced by | Charles Philip Yorke (Commons) |
| Territorial extent | United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland |
| Dates | |
| Royal assent | 11 June 1803 |
| Repealed | 16 July 1806 |
| Other legislation | |
| Amended by | Levy en Masse Act 1803 |
| Repealed by | Defence of the Realm Act 1806 (46 Geo 3 c 90) |
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Status: Repealed
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| Text of statute as originally enacted | |
The Defence of the Realm Act 1803 was an important law passed in the United Kingdom. It was created to help protect the country during a time of war. This law helped the government prepare for possible attacks. It made sure they knew what resources and people were available.
Contents
What Was the Defence of the Realm Act?
The Defence of the Realm Act 1803 was a special law. It was passed by the Parliament of the United Kingdom. Parliament is like the government's main decision-making body. This law was meant to make the country safer. It helped prepare for any dangers during wartime.
Why Was This Act Needed?
In 1803, Britain was at war with France. This period is known as the Napoleonic Wars. People in Britain were worried about a possible invasion. Napoleon Bonaparte, the leader of France, was very powerful. The British government needed to be ready for anything. They wanted to make sure they could defend their country.
Who Created This Law?
The idea for this law came from Charles Philip Yorke. He was a Member of Parliament. At the time, he was the Secretary at War. This job meant he was in charge of the army. He presented the Act to the House of Commons. The House of Commons is a part of Parliament. This happened on May 18, 1803.
What Did the Act Do?
The Defence of the Realm Act 1803 made some key demands. It asked all parts of the country, called counties, to gather information. They had to create a detailed report. This report was about people and resources.
What Information Was Collected?
The Act required counties to list many things. This was to help with defense plans.
- People: They had to report on all healthy men. These were men aged between 15 and 60.
- Some men were already in volunteer groups.
- Others were willing to help if needed.
- Some could drive wagons or act as guides.
- Resources: The Act also asked for details on important supplies.
- This included wagons and boats.
- They also listed horses and cattle.
- Food and animal feed (forage) were also counted.
This information helped the government understand what they had. It showed them how they could defend the country. The Act was a way to organize resources for national safety. It was repealed, or ended, a few years later in 1806.
