why were the brittish soldiers called redcoats(1800s)?

Answer 1

good answers above but not entirely correct.

In 1645, Parliament established the New Model Army act establishing a permanent professional army. The infantry regiments wore coats of Venetian red with white facings. The original intention was to use blue uniforms, but red was cheaper.

In the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries, the majority of British Foot (infantry) regiments wore red coats. All european armies during these periods wore bright colors. In the days of the musket and black powder, battlefield visibility was quickly obscured by clouds of smoke. Bright colours provided a way of distinguishing friend from enemy without significantly adding risk.

Vvisibility did not become a matter of primary concern until the general adoption of rifles in the 1850s, followed by smokeless powder after 1880. The value of drab clothing was quickly recognised by the British Army, who introduced khaki drill for Indian and colonial warfare from the mid-19th century on.

The term "redcoat" was a term that was generally only in major use in America during the revolutionary war to describe British soldiers fighting against the Americans. British soldiers were not called "redcoats" in Europe because there were many other countries that dressed some or all of their Armies in red coats.

The term "Bloody back" is a deragatory term which refers to the way the british army used to instill discipline...by flogging.

"Lobster Back" originated because the way the kit bag was fitted over the shoulders resembled a lobster when you looked at a British soldier from behind.

as a foot note, the idea that red hid blood did not apply to the British Army as their fighting was done with muskets. the idea to hide blood with red cloth, a red tunic, or a red cape, originated with the Spartans and carried on by the Romans. This practice fell out of favor during medieval times and was wholly unecessary when combat moved away from hand to hand toward gunpowder.

Answer 2

The British soldiers wore red coats (uniforms).
Nevermind Wikipedia - - read a book!

'Redcoat: The British Soldier in the Age of Horse and Musket'
Richard Holmes, W.W.Norton & Co., 2002

Answer 3

Hi,

Because they traditionally wore bright red coats (reputedly so the blood wouldn't show). Most regiments wore red, though some, like the 'rifles', wore green.

It was not a very practical colour as it was highly visible, but warfare during the Napoleonic wars was often a matter of putting the fear of God into your opponents...for the same reason that they used the (to the French) horrendous sound of Bagpipes (played by the Scottish regiments) to unsettle their opponents.

Conversely the French used drummers and mass voices to shout 'Vive l'Emporeur' as they advanced in columns.

The red line was impressive and did work very well to create fear in opponents the scheme didn't work too well in the American War of Independence, however, as the British had too few troops and were too far from home to maintain supply lines and bring reinforcements in time. (so think yourself lucky!)

As time has gone on the regimental appearance has mattered less and more camouflaged uniforms are now the norm.

But to answer your question simply...they were called 'Redcoats' just because they had red coats.

Cheers,

BobSpain

Answer 4

Well, the term "redcoats" is, of course, applied to them because British soldiers from around 1645 onwards wore red tunics with white facings, and, if you were an officer, gold trims.

The hiding of blood is a myth, as blood will show up in black on red cloth instead of red. (trust me, I have experience in that with mum's kitchen towels eh)

One of the main points of the distinctive red coats was, as many people say, to strike fear into the heart of the enemy. You see a mile-long line of solid red advancing at you, moving like clockwork, no matter how much fire you pour into it, and you say "oh my god, the British are coming!!!"

The last time a scarlet coat was used in battle was in 1885 at the Battle of Gennis in Egypt.

After the start of WW1, the British ceased the issue of scarlet battle tunics, and instead they were reserved for the officers of commonwealth (e.g. Canada, Australia) armies. They are now worn in marching bands, and by officers going to dinner.

Answer 5

They were called "redcoats" because everyone back then was red/green color blind and even though they were green, they assumed they were red because red dye was less expensive than green.

So much for logical deduction.

Answer 6

i wear a hat of some type nearly all the time. I started doin that when the hair started to grow from my ears and stopped gowing on my head. as a result, the top of my head gets either cold or sunburned without a hat

Answer 7

And lobster backs. It was because the wore scarlett red coats.

Answer 8

the brit army wore red coats

Answer 9

Because they wore red coats.

Answer 10

Because the coats of their uniforms were red.

Chow!!