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==Introduction==__NOTOC__[[File: Waterloo 2.jpg|thumbnail|left|350px|British Cavalry charging at Waterloo]] The Battle of Waterloo is one of the most famous battles in history. It was France fought between France on one side and Great Britain, Prussia , and their allieson the other. The battle was a great victory for the British and the Prussians , and it is widely seen as the end of the series of wars that had ravaged Europe since the French Revolution (1789). The Battle of Waterloo was the last attempt by Napoleon to establish himself in France and Europe, after his defeat in 1814. This article will discuss the reasons for the defeat of Napoleon at Waterloo, these include stubborn British resistance, their superior cavalry, Wellington’s leadership and, most importantly, the timely arrival of the Prussian army on the battlefield. ==Background==Napoleon has become the master of most of Europe by 1805 after his victory over the Austrians and the Russians at the Battle of Austerlitz<ref> . For several years Napoleon and France dominated Europe and only the British continued to oppose Bonaparte’s ambitions. Napoleon decided to invade the Russian Empire, to force the Tsar to join a trade embargo on Britain. The French army marched into Russian and captured Moscow, but it disintegrated in the terrible Russian winter <ref> Palmer, R.R. , A History of the Modern World, New York: Knopf, 1956), p. 143</ref> . Napoleon retreated back into Europe and in the process lost the majority of his army. The French Empire was severely weakened after the Russian Invasion and eventually the allies, (Britain, Russian, Austria and Prussia) marched into France and deposed Napoleon and restored the Bourbon Monarchy. Napoleon was exiled on the island of Elba in 1814. However, Napoleon escaped from Elba in 1815 and returned to France and this prompted many in France to declare their loyalty to the old Emperor. The recently installed new French King fled and once more Napoleon was master of France. The allies were stunned and began to mobilize their armies to crush the French once and for all. From the east the Russian army advanced and the Austrians began to gather their forces in Italy <ref> Palmer, p. 156</ref>. The British assembled a large force in the Low Countries and the Prussians army advanced through Germany and planned to link up with their British allies. Napoleon was effectively surrounded but he soon had taken control of his old army, that was still a formidable force. ==Preparations for the Battle==Napoleon was declared an outlaw by the allies and they decided not to negotiate with him and to inflict such a defeat on him, that he could never threaten the peace of Europe. Napoleon decided to target the British in the Low Countries. He wanted to secure a quick and rapid victory<ref> Adkin, Mark, The Waterloo Companion, Aurum, London, 2001), p. 6 </ref>. The French army’s aim was to destroy the British before they were joined by the Prussian army, which was rapidly making its way to Belgium. Had Napoleon succeeded in destroying the army of General Wellington, located south of Brussels before it was reinforced, he might have been able to drive the British back to the sea. This would allow Napoleon to turn his focus on the Prussians and knock them out of the war. This would then enable the French to concentrate all their armies on the Austrians and Russians</ref> Adkins, p. 17</ref>. Napoleon also knew that many in the French-speaking community in Belgium were sympathetic to him and a French victory could trigger a revolution in that country. French Intelligence was very well-informed of the strengths and weaknesses of the British troops in Belgium. Napoleon knew that the army under General Wellington was largely second-line troops as most of the veterans had been dispatched to fight in North America. Napoleon gathered his forces together in a rapid period of time. Many of his old soldiers and generals rallied to his cause and soon they were on the march. The speed of the French advance stunned the British and Wellington was forced to adopt a defensive posture south of Brussels, at Waterloo </ref> Adkins, p. 67</ref>. By this time the advance Prussians units had arrived in Belgium, but the French surprised and defeated them at the Battle of Ligny. Wellington decided to retreat towards Waterloo and wait for the main Prussian army under General Blucher to reinforce him. Once again Napoleon’s speed caught everyone by surprise and before the Prussians could meet up with Wellington, he had arrived at Waterloo, and was determined to force the British into a decisive battle.
==The Battle==The French of Waterloo was the last attempt by Napoleon to establish himself in France and the British armies were roughly evenly matched Europe after his defeat in numbers1814. The French had slightly more cavalry and artillery. Wellington Why was Napoleon defeated at Waterloo? It was very concerned about a mixture of the quality of his multinational stubborn British resistance, their superior cavalry, Wellington’s leadership, and, most importantly, the timely arrival of the Prussian armyon the battlefield. Many ==How did Napoleon become the emperor after he returned from Elba?==Napoleon has become the master of who were Dutch most of Europe by 1805 after his victory over the Austrians and the Russians at the Battle of Austerlitz. For several years Napoleon and Belgian soldiers who were not battle hardened France dominated Europe, and in only the British ranks there were also many inexperienced soldierscontinued to oppose Bonaparte’s ambitions. There was also Napoleon decided to invade the Russian Empire to force the Tsar to join a large German contingent who though experienced had at one time served in the trade embargo on Britain. The French army. The French army was composed of veteransmarched into Russian and captured Moscow, including elite units such as but it disintegrated in the ‘Old Guard’terrible Russian winter.<ref>Palmer, R.R. Wellington was a highly experienced soldier and he established a strong defensive position on a ridge and had fortified some farmhouses in the area, to protect his flanks <[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0073106925/ref> Barbero=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0073106925&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=aaf81ee4b016b99b72d6e0bb4a744f61 A History of the Modern World], Alessandro, The Battle(New York: A New History of Waterloo (translated by John Cullen) (paperback ed.)Knopf, Walker & Company, London, 20061956), p. 57143</ref>. Napoleon as ever was retreated into Europe and in a hurry and decided to attack the British and their allies before process lost the Prussians arrivedmajority of his army. He decided to attack The French Empire was severely weakened after the British Russian Invasion, and eventually, the allies (Britain, Russian, Austria, and Prussia) marched into France and deposed Napoleon, and restored the day after arriving at WaterlooBourbon Monarchy. He scheduled the attack to begin Napoleon was exiled on Elba Island - Isola d'Elba - in the early morning of the 18th of June1814. However, but he delayed it because of the sodden groundNapoleon escaped from Elba in 1815 and returned to France. The wet conditions meant that the cavalry could not conduct any charges. At 11 His return prompted many in the morning Napoleon ordered his forces France to declare their loyalty to attack their old Emperor. The recently installed new French King fled, and once more, Napoleon has controlled France. The allies were stunned and began to mobilize their armies to crush the village of Mont-Saint-Jean as he believed that here was French once and for all. The Russian army advanced from the main concentration of Wellington’s army. In facteast, and the British were stationed below the village on some high ground. When the French saw the position of the British they commenced to bombard their lines <refAustrians began to gather their forces in Italy.<ref> BarberoPalmer, p. 114156</ref>. After an hour The British assembled a large force in the Low Countries, and the French began their assault Prussian army advanced through Germany and planned to link up with their goal was to seize the Hougoumont farmhouseBritish allies. There Napoleon was fierce fighting at this farmhouse all day but the British managed to hold out. Wellington was obliged to divert some effectively surrounded, but he soon had taken control of his reserves into this battleold army, which was still a formidable force.<ref>Palmer, p. This weakened his centre and 157</ref> == How did Napoleon decided to launch a massive attack on the British linesprepare for Waterloo? ==[[File: Waterloo 3. The jpg|thumbnail|300px|left|French after another bombardment charged up Cavalry in action at Waterloo]]Napoleon was declared an outlaw by the slopes allies, and they decided not to the British lines and after an hour of fierce fighting they had forced Wellington’s lines backnegotiate with him. It seemed that the British They were focused on defeating him so that he could never threaten the verge peace of defeatEurope. Then Napoleon decided to target the British commander ordered his Heavy Cavalry Brigade in the Low Countries. He wanted to stage secure a counterattack quick and rapid victory.<ref> BarberoAdkin, Mark, p. 156<i>[https://ref>. This managed to push back the French advance, although at a very heavy cost. Napoleon ordered his cavalry to attack the British line and then ordered repeated infantry charges. This resulted in very high French casualtieswww.amazon. com/gp/product/0811718549/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0811718549&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=69ebff713071f7b1b7139c25d1dbe244 The British under the leadership of Wellington held firmWaterloo Companion]</i>, (Aurum, London, 2001), p. Suddenly, 6 </ref> The French army aimed to destroy the Prussians appeared on Napoleon’s right flank and they had arrived sooner than anyone had anticipatedBritish before joining the Prussian army, rapidly making its way to Belgium. Had Napoleon knew that his situation was precarious and succeeded in destroying the army of General Wellington, located south of Brussels before it was reinforced, he ordered his best troops, might have been able to drive the Imperial Guard forward, in an effort British back to rout the Britishsea. However, once again despite This would allow Napoleon to turn his focus on the heroism Prussians and knock them out of the Imperial Guard war and enable the allied forces under Wellington held firm. The Prussians under Blucher began French to arrive in ever greater numbers concentrate all their armies on the Austrians and as they did the French army began to disintegrateRussians. The Old Guard<ref>Adkins, composed of veterans of many battlesp. 17</ref> Napoleon also knew that many in Belgium's French-speaking community were sympathetic to him, fought to the last man and this allowed the remaining a French forces to flee victory could trigger a revolution in that country. French Intelligence was very well-informed of the battle. That night Blucher strengths and Wellington met and that is considered the end weaknesses of the BattleBritish troops in Belgium. Waterloo was a victory for Napoleon knew that the allies but as army under General Wellington himself asserted afterwards it was mostly second-line troops as most veterans had been dispatched to fight in North America. Napoleon gathered his forces together in a narrow victory <ref> Adkinrapid period. Many of his old soldiers and generals rallied to his cause, pand soon they were on the march. 178</ref> ==Outcome of the BattleWhere is Waterloo? ==Waterloo cost The French advance's speed stunned the British army around 14,500 dead or wounded and the Prussians under Blücher suffered some 7,200 casualtiesWellington was forced to adopt a defensive posture south of Brussels at Waterloo. The French army had some 25<ref> Adkins,000 to 26p. 67</ref> By this time,000 killed or wounded. Some 6000 to 7000 the advanced Prussian units had arrived in Belgium, but the French soldiers were taken prisoner surprised and another 15,000 men deserteddefeated them at the Battle of Ligny. Wellington decided to retreat towards Waterloo was a decisive victory and wait for the allies<ref> Chandlermain Prussian army under General Blucher to reinforce him. Once again, David Napoleon’s speed caught everyone by surprise, The Campaigns of Napoleonand before the Prussians could meet up with Wellington, New York: Macmillan, 1966), p. 156</ref>. Napoleon’s army he had arrived at Waterloo and was no longer an organised fighting determined to force and the British and Prussians were about to invade France, which was practically defencelessinto a decisive battle. It was evident that == Who had the situation was hopeless and after a failed suicide bid better army at Waterloo? ==[[File: Waterloo 4.jpg|thumbnail|left|300px|Napoleon was sent to addressing the troops before an attack]]The French and the island of St Helena where he wold die. If Bonaparte British armies were evenly matched in numbers. The French had won it seems likely that Europe would have once again experienced a series of warsslightly more cavalry and artillery. Waterloo ended Wellington was very concerned about the career quality of Napoleon one of the greatest generals in historyhis multinational army. It also ended the last serious attempt by France to dominate EuropeMany Dutch and Belgian soldiers who were not battle-hardened and in the British ranks had many inexperienced soldiers. The battle There was to bring four decades of international peace to Europealso a large German contingent who though experienced, had served in the French army. In the aftermath The French army was composed of veterans, including elite units such as the defeat of Napoleon the great powers organised an international system that provided Europe with much needed stability‘Old Guard. At the Congress of Vienna’ Wellington was a highly experienced soldier, the great powers with the exception of Britain and he established principles that provided a strong defensive position on a ridge and had fortified some stability for Europe until farmhouses in the Crimean War, in a period of great change area to protect his flanks.<ref> PalmerBarbero, Alessandro, p<i>[https://www.amazon. 234<com/gp/product/0802715001/ref>. =as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=The Reasons for the Failure1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0802715001&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=f7811af0d5bf48ffb1f7cacae70cd8ef The are several reasons for the failure Battle: A New History of Napoleon at Waterloo. One of the major reason for the defeat of the French at Waterloo was the timely arrival of Blucher, which was not anticipated ]</i> (translated by the FrenchJohn Cullen) (paperback ed. Napoleon had not made enough preparations for this eventuality <ref> Chandler), Walker & Company, London, 2006), p. 13457</ref>. Wellington As ever, Napoleon was in his despatches a hurry and decided to London made clear attack the importance of the arrival of Blucher British and their allies before the Prussiansarrived. Another key reason was the unexpected bravery of He chose to attack the British and the other allied soldiersday after arriving at Waterloo. Though inexperienced they bravely resisted He scheduled the attack to begin in the onslaught early morning of the French. They had withstood many French attacks, including an assault from the Imperial Guard, widely regarded as some 18th of June, but he delayed it because of the finest soldiers in Europesaturated ground. Wellington and his officers had been able to provide The wet conditions meant that the men with resolute leadership which meant that their soldiers did cavalry could not buckle under the repeated French conduct any charges. Another factor was At 11 in the terrible weathermorning, heavy rain had turned much Napoleon ordered his forces to attack the village of Mont-Saint-Jean as he believed that here was the battlefield into mud, and this had greatly slowed the French during their attacksmain concentration of Wellington’s army. This == What was particularly Napoleon's strategy at the case given that start of the forces Battle of Napoleon Waterloo? ==The British were attacking uphill<ref> Adkin, pstationed below the village on some high ground. 157</ref>When the French saw the position of the British, they commenced bombarding their lines. The weather had also delayed <ref> Barbero, p. 114</ref> After an hour, the French attack by several hours began their assault, and this their goal was to prove crucialseize the Hougoumont farmhouse. If There was fierce fighting at this farmhouse all day, but the French had been able British managed to attack in the early hours they could have swept the British from the field before the arrival of their Prussian allieshold out. Then there Wellington was Napoleon’s mistake in organizing the first obliged to divert some of his reserves into this battle. This weakened his center, and Napoleon decided to launch a massive attack on the British centrelines. The formation of After another bombardment, the First French Corps was not suitable for a swift attack charged up the slopes to the British lines, and this meant that it was relatively ineffectiveafter an hour of fierce fighting, they had forced Wellington’s lines back. According to an official French investigation into It seemed that the battle British were on the ‘inconceivable formation verge of the first corps, in masses very much too deep for the first grand attack’ defeat. <refdh-ad/> Comte d'Erlon, Jean-Baptiste Drouet (1815), Drouet's account of Waterloo Then the British commander ordered his Heavy Cavalry Brigade to the French Parliament stage a counterattack.</ref>Barbero, p.Then there was 156</ref> This managed to push back the superiority of French advance, although at a hefty cost. Napoleon ordered his cavalry to attack the British cavalry. Because of the constant wars, the European armies could not access good horsesline and then ordered repeated infantry charges. This resulted in very high French casualties. The British were able to secure excellent horses from England and especially Ireland and this meant that they were more effective at Waterloo, under the leadership of Wellington, held firm. On the other handSuddenly, the French cavalry horses were not as good Prussians appeared on Napoleon’s right flank, and this they had arrived sooner than anyone had anticipated. Napoleon knew that his situation was a real disadvantage <ref> Adkinprecarious, and he ordered his best troops, the Imperial Guard forward, p. 212</ref>. The charge of to rout the British Heavy Brigade was particularly important at a most dangerous stage in . However, despite the battle for Imperial Guard's heroism, the British and when allied forces under Wellington held firm. The Prussians under Blucher began to arrive in ever-higher numbers, and as they seemed on did, the verge of defeatFrench army began to disintegrate. The superior horses Old Guard, composed of veterans of many battles, fought to the British gave them an ‘important advantage on last man, allowing the battlefield’ <ref> Fletcher, Ian , Galloping at Everything: The British Cavalry in remaining French forces to flee the Peninsula fighting. That night Blucher and at Waterloo 1808–15 (StaplehurstWellington met, Spellmount, 1999), 201</ref>.==Conclusion==Waterloo was and that is considered the end of an era and the defeat of Napoleon ushered in Battle. Waterloo was a period of peace in Europe. Napoleon had come close to victory victory for the allies, but as Wellington and Blucher had been able to turn the tide of battle and inflict a decisive defeat on the French armyhimself asserted afterward, it was a narrow victory. The British army proved to be more capable than expected<ref> Adkin, p. The weather was also not in favour 178</ref> == How many casualties did the Battle of the French and Waterloo have? ==Waterloo cost the British had superior cavalry. Napoleon’s strategy was once again of the highest quality but the timely arrival of army around 14,500 dead or wounded, and the Prussians changed the course of the battleunder Blücher suffered some 7,200 casualties. The French army had some 25,000 to 26,000 killed or wounded. It seems likely that Wellington Some 6000 to 7000 French soldiers were taken prisoner, and another 15,000 men deserted. Waterloo was a decisive victory for the allies.<ref> Chandler, David, <i>[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0025236601/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0025236601&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=ad13ccb381f4beab1b23a17089c55271 The Campaigns of Napoleon]</i>, (New York: Macmillan, 1966), p. 156</ref> Napoleon’s army was no longer an organized fighting force, and the British and Prussians were about to invade France, which was practically defenseless. It was evident that the situation was hopeless, and after a failed suicide bid, Napoleon was sent to the island of St Helena, where he would have been forced to retreat if the Prussians had not arriveddie. If Bonaparte had won, it seems likely that Europe would have once again experienced a series of wars.<ref> Barbero, p. 178</ref> Waterloo ended the career of Napoleon - one of the greatest generals in history. It also ended the last serious attempt by France to dominate Europe. The battle was to bring four decades of international peace to Europe. In the aftermath of Napoleon's defeat, the great powers organized an international system that provided Europe with much-needed stability. At the Congress of Vienna, the great powers except for Britain established principles that provided some stability for Europe until the Crimean War, in a period of significant change.<ref> Palmer, p. 234</ref> == Why was Napoleon's Defeated? ==The are several reasons Napoleon failed at Waterloo. A significant factor in Napoleon's defeat was Blucher's timely arrival, which was not anticipated by the French. Napoleon had not prepared for the arrival of the Prussian army.<ref>Chandler, p. 134.</ref> Wellington, in his despatches to London, made it clear how important Blucher's arrival was to the battle outcome. Another key reason was the unexpected bravery of the British and the other allied soldiers. Though inexperienced, they bravely resisted the onslaught of the French. They withstood several French attacks, including an assault from the Imperial Guard, the finest soldiers in Europe. Wellington and his officers had provided the men with resolute leadership, which meant that their soldiers did not buckle under the repeated French charges. Another factor was the terrible weather. Heavy rain had turned much of the battlefield into a mud bath, which had greatly slowed the French during their attacks. This was particularly the case given that the forces of Napoleon were attacking uphill.<ref> Adkin, p. 157</ref> The weather had also delayed the French attack by several hours, and this was to prove crucial. If the French had been able to attack in the early hours, they could have swept the British from the field before their Prussian allies' arrival. Then there was Napoleon’s mistake in organizing the first attack on the British center. The formation of the First French Corps was not suitable for a swift attack, and this meant that it was relatively ineffective. According to an official French investigation into the battle, the ‘inconceivable formation of the first corps, in masses very much too deep for the first grand attack.’<ref> Comte d'Erlon, Jean-Baptiste Drouet (1815), Drouet's account of Waterloo to the French Parliament, p. 3</ref> Then the British cavalry was superior. Because of the constant wars, the European armies could not access good horses. The British were able to secure excellent horses from England and especially Ireland, which meant they were more effective at Waterloo. On the other hand, the French cavalry horses were not as good, which was a real disadvantage.<ref>Adkin, p. 212</ref> The charge of the British Heavy Brigade was particularly important at a most dangerous stage in the battle for the British and when they seemed on the verge of defeat. The superior horses of the British gave them an ‘important advantage on the battlefield.’<ref> Fletcher, Ian, <i>[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0811707032/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0811707032&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=be1e5cee696a739afca24453fc1f9afd Galloping at Everything: The British Cavalry in the Peninsula and at Waterloo 1808–15]</i>, (Staplehurst, Spellmount, 1999), 201</ref> == Why was the timely arrival of the Prussians decisive at Waterloo? ==Waterloo was the end of an era, and Napoleon's defeat ushered in a period of peace in Europe. Napoleon had come close to victory, but Wellington and Blucher had been able to turn the tide of battle and inflict a decisive defeat on the French army. <ref> Drouet, p. 3</ref> The British army proved to be more capable than expected. The weather was also not in favor of the French, and the British had superior cavalry. Napoleon’s strategy was once again of the highest quality, but the timely arrival of the Prussians changed the course of the battle. It seems likely that Wellington would have been forced to retreat if the Prussians had not arrived. Their arrival led to the destruction of the French army and the Napoleonic Wars in Europe. <div class="portal" style='float:left; width:35%'>====Related DailyHistory.org Articles===={{#dpl:category=French History|ordermethod=firstedit|order=descending|count=6}}</div>====Reference====<references/>{{Contributors}}[[Category:Wikis]][[Category:British History]] [[Category:Military History]][[Category:European History]][[Category:Russian History]][[Category:French History]] Updated September 20, their arrival led to the destruction of the French army and the end of the Napoleonic Wars in Europe.2021
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