Quota System (Royal Navy) facts for kids
The Quota System was a rule in Britain that helped the Royal Navy get enough sailors. It was also sometimes called The Quod. This system was started in 1795 by the Prime Minister at the time, William Pitt the Younger.
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What Was the Quota System?
The Quota System made each county in Britain responsible for finding a certain number of men for the Royal Navy. The number of men a county had to provide depended on how many people lived there and how many seaports it had. For example, London had to find 5,704 men, while Yorkshire needed to find 1,081 men.
Why Was It Created?
Britain needed many sailors for its navy, especially during times of war. The Quota System was a way to make sure the navy had enough people to man its ships. It was an important part of how Britain kept its navy strong.
How Did It Work?
Each county was given a "quota," which was its target number of men. They had to find these men and send them to join the navy.
Challenges for Counties
It was often hard for counties to meet their quotas. Sometimes, they offered large amounts of money, called "bounties," to people who volunteered. Many of these volunteers were inexperienced people who had never been to sea before.
Problems for Sailors
This system caused some problems. Regular, experienced sailors often felt unfairness because they had received much smaller bounties when they joined. If they had been forced to join the navy, they received no bounty at all. Also, some counties sent people who had broken the law instead of punishment. This caused bad feelings among the sailors and sometimes led to the spread of serious illnesses on the ships.
When Did the Quota System End?
Britain stopped using the Quota System in 1815. This was at the end of the Napoleonic Wars. At that time, many navy ships were no longer needed. There were also plenty of unemployed sailors available to join the remaining ships. Because of this, the Quota System, along with another system called impressment, was no longer needed.
