Recruiting Act 1778 facts for kids
| Act of Parliament | |
|
|
| Long title | An Act for the more easy and better recruiting of his Majesty's land forces and marines. |
|---|---|
| Citation | 18 Geo. III. c.53 |
| Territorial extent | Great Britain |
Quick facts for kids Text of statute as originally enacted |
|
The Recruiting Act 1778 was a special law passed in 1778 by the Parliament of Great Britain. It was created to help find more soldiers for the British army. This law was very important because Britain needed many more soldiers quickly.
At this time, Britain was fighting in the American Revolutionary War. After a big loss at the Battle of Saratoga, the government realized they didn't have enough soldiers. The usual way of getting volunteers was not working well enough. So, they decided to make a new law to help recruit more people.
Contents
What Was the Recruiting Act 1778?
The Recruiting Act 1778 was a law designed to boost the number of soldiers in the British army. It aimed to make it easier to find and sign up new recruits. This was especially important during wartime when many soldiers were needed.
How Did the Act Encourage Volunteers?
The law offered a special payment to people who volunteered to join the army.
- Each volunteer would get a payment of £3. This was called a bounty.
- Volunteers could leave the army after three years. This was unless the country was still at war.
What About Finding More Soldiers?
The Act also gave power to local officials, called justices of the peace. They could find people who were not working or had no clear way to support themselves.
- These officials could send "able-bodied idle, and disorderly persons" to recruiting officers.
- These were people who could not show they had a job or enough money to live on.
- A reward of 10 shillings was offered to anyone who found such a person.
- People who were made to join the army this way could ask to leave after five years. This was also unless the country was still at war.
Where Did the Act Apply?
The Recruiting Act 1778 did not apply everywhere in Britain. The Secretary of War decided where it would be used.
- It was used in Scotland.
- It was also used in specific parts of England. These included the City of London, Westminster, and parts of Middlesex. These areas were known as the "Bills of Mortality" districts.
The main benefit of this law was that many people volunteered. They did this because they were worried they might be forced to join if they didn't.
When Was the Act Passed and Ended?
The Recruiting Act 1778 became law on May 28, 1778. This is when it received royal assent, meaning the King approved it.
However, this Act did not last long. It was replaced by a new law the very next year.
- The Act was officially cancelled by the Recruiting Act 1779.
- This happened through section 1 of the new 1779 Act.
