"British power and global expansion between 1755 and 1815 have mainly been attributed to the fiscal-military state and the achievements of the Royal Navy at sea. Roger Morriss here sheds new light on the broader range of developments in the infrastructure of the state needed to extend British power at sea and overseas. He demonstrates how developments in culture, experience, and control in central government affected the supply of ships, manpower, food, transport, and ordnance, as well as the support of the army, permitting the maintenance and projection of armed forces of unprecedented size to distant stations. He reveals how the British state, although dependent on the private sector, built a partnership with it based on trust, ethics, and the law. Traditionally regarded as inferior to the fighting services, this book argues that Britain's military bureaucracy was in fact the keystone of the nation's maritime ascendancy"-- Provided by publisher.

The British state in evolution -- Defence and expansion -- Economy and finance -- Naval growth and infrastructure -- Ordnance and technology -- Manpower and motivation -- Foodstuffs and victualling -- Shipping and transportation -- The supply of land forces overseas.