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The Battle of Waterloo is one of the most famous battles in history. The battle was between, France fought on one side and Great Britain, Prussia , and their allies on 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 The Battle of Austerlitz. For several years Napoleon and France dominated Europe and only Waterloo was the British continued to oppose Bonaparte’s ambitions. last attempt by Napoleon decided to invade the Russian Empire, to force the Tsar to join a trade embargo on Britain. The French army marched into Russian establish himself in France and captured Moscow, but it disintegrated Europe after his defeat in the terrible Russian winter1814.<ref>Palmer, R.R., [https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0073106925/ref=as_li_tlWhy was Napoleon defeated at Waterloo?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0073106925&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=aaf81ee4b016b99b72d6e0bb4a744f61 A History It was a mixture of the Modern World]stubborn British resistance, (New York: Knopftheir superior cavalry, 1956)Wellington’s leadership, p. 143</ref> Napoleon retreated back into Europe and in , most importantly, the process lost timely arrival of the majority of his Prussian 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 1814battlefield.

However, ==How did Napoleon escaped become the emperor after he returned from Elba in 1815 ?==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. For several years Napoleon and returned to France dominated Europe, and this prompted many in France to declare their loyalty only the British continued to the old Emperoroppose Bonaparte’s ambitions. The recently installed new French King fled and once more Napoleon was master of France. The allies were stunned and began decided to mobilize their armies invade the Russian Empire to crush force the Tsar to join a trade embargo on Britain. The French once army marched into Russian and for all. From the east captured Moscow, but it disintegrated in the terrible Russian army advanced and the Austrians began to gather their forces in Italywinter.<ref> Palmer, R.R., [https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0073106925/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0073106925&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=aaf81ee4b016b99b72d6e0bb4a744f61 A History of the Modern World], (New York: Knopf, 1956), p. 156143</ref> The British assembled a large force Napoleon retreated into Europe and in the Low Countries and process lost the Prussians majority of his army advanced through Germany . The French Empire was severely weakened after the Russian Invasion, and planned to link up with their British eventually, the allies(Britain, Russian, Austria, and Prussia) marched into France and deposed Napoleon, and restored the Bourbon Monarchy. Napoleon was effectively surrounded but he soon had taken control of his old army, that was still a formidable force.<ref>Palmer, pexiled on Elba Island - Isola d'Elba - in 1814. 157</ref>

==Preparations for the Battle==[[File: Waterloo 3However, Napoleon escaped from Elba in 1815 and returned to France. His return prompted many in France to declare their loyalty to their old Emperor.jpg|thumbnail|The recently installed new French Cavalry in action at Waterloo]]King fled, and once more, Napoleon was declared an outlaw by the has controlled France. The allies were stunned and they decided not began to negotiate with him and mobilize their armies to inflict such a defeat on him, that he could never threaten crush the peace of EuropeFrench once and for all. Napoleon decided to target The Russian army advanced from the British in east, and the Low Countries. He wanted Austrians began to secure a quick and rapid victorygather their forces in Italy.<ref> Adkin, Mark, <i>[https://www.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 Waterloo Companion]</i>, (Aurum, London, 2001)Palmer, p. 6 156</ref> The French army’s aim was to destroy British assembled a large force in the British before they were joined by Low Countries, and the Prussian army, which was rapidly making its way advanced through Germany and planned to Belgiumlink up with their British allies. Had Napoleon succeeded in destroying the army of General Wellington, located south of Brussels before it was reinforcedeffectively surrounded, but he might have been able to drive the British back to the sea. This would allow Napoleon to turn soon had taken control of his focus on the Prussians and knock them out of the war and enable the French to concentrate all their armies on the Austrians and Russiansold army, which was still a formidable force.<ref>AdkinsPalmer, p. 17157</ref>

== How did Napoleon also knew that many in the prepare for Waterloo? ==[[File: Waterloo 3.jpg|thumbnail|300px|left|French-speaking community Cavalry in Belgium were sympathetic to him and a French victory could trigger a revolution in that country. French Intelligence action at Waterloo]]Napoleon was very well-informed of declared an outlaw by the strengths allies, and weaknesses of the British troops in Belgiumthey decided not to negotiate with him. Napoleon knew They were focused on defeating him so that he could never threaten the army under General Wellington was largely second-line troops as most peace of the veterans had been dispatched to fight in North AmericaEurope. Napoleon gathered his forces together decided to target the British in a rapid period of time. Many of his old soldiers and generals rallied to his cause and soon they were on the marchLow Countries. The speed of the French advance stunned the British and Wellington was forced He wanted to adopt secure a defensive posture south of Brussels, at Waterlooquick and rapid victory.<ref> AdkinsAdkin, Mark, p<i>[https://www.amazon. 67com/gp/product/0811718549/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0811718549&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=69ebff713071f7b1b7139c25d1dbe244 The Waterloo Companion]</refi> 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(Aurum, London, 2001), he had arrived at Waterloo and was determined to force the British into a decisive battlep.6 </ref>

==The Battle==[[File: Waterloo 4.jpg|thumbnail|Napoelon addressing the troops before an attack]]The French and army aimed to destroy the British armies were roughly evenly matched in numbers. The French had slightly more cavalry and artillery. Wellington was very concerned about before joining the quality of his multinational Prussian army, rapidly making its way to Belgium. Many of who were Dutch and Belgian soldiers who were not battle hardened and Had Napoleon succeeded in destroying the British ranks there were also many inexperienced soldiers. There was also a large German contingent who though experienced had at one time served in the French army. The French army of General Wellington, located south of Brussels before it was composed of veteransreinforced, including elite units such as he might have been able to drive the ‘Old Guard’British back to the sea. Wellington was a highly experienced soldier This would allow Napoleon to turn his focus on the Prussians and he established a strong defensive position on a ridge knock them out of the war and had fortified some farmhouses in enable the area, French to protect his flanksconcentrate all their armies on the Austrians and Russians.<ref> Barbero, Alessandro, <i>[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0802715001/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0802715001&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=f7811af0d5bf48ffb1f7cacae70cd8ef The Battle: A New History of Waterloo]</i> (translated by John Cullen) (paperback ed.), Walker & Company, London, 2006)Adkins, p. 5717</ref>

Napoleon as ever was also knew that many in a hurry and decided Belgium's French-speaking community were sympathetic to attack the British him, and their allies before the Prussians arrived. He decided to attack the British the day after arriving at Waterloo. He scheduled the attack to begin a French victory could trigger a revolution in the early morning of the 18th of June, but he delayed it because of the sodden ground. The wet conditions meant that the cavalry could not conduct any chargescountry. At 11 in the morning Napoleon ordered his forces to attack the village of Mont-Saint French Intelligence was very well-Jean as he believed that here was the main concentration informed of Wellington’s army. In fact, the British were stationed below the village on some high ground. When the French saw the position strengths and weaknesses of the British they commenced to bombard their linestroops in Belgium.<ref> Barbero, p. 114</ref> After an hour Napoleon knew that the French began their assault and their goal army under General Wellington was mostly second-line troops as most veterans had been dispatched to seize the Hougoumont farmhousefight in North America. There was fierce fighting at this farmhouse all day but the British managed to hold outNapoleon gathered his forces together in a rapid period. Wellington was obliged to divert some Many of his reserves into this battle. This weakened his centre old soldiers and Napoleon decided generals rallied to launch a massive attack on the British lines. The French after another bombardment charged up the slopes to the British lines his cause, and after an hour of fierce fighting, soon they had forced Wellington’s lines back. It seemed that the British were on the verge of defeatmarch.

Then == Where is Waterloo? ==The French advance's speed stunned the British commander ordered his Heavy Cavalry Brigade , and Wellington was forced to stage adopt a counterattackdefensive posture south of Brussels at Waterloo.<ref> BarberoAdkins, p. 15667</ref> This managed to push back the French advanceBy this time, although at a very heavy cost. Napoleon ordered his cavalry to attack the British line and then ordered repeated infantry charges. This resulted advanced Prussian units had arrived in very high French casualties. The British under the leadership of Wellington held firm. SuddenlyBelgium, but the Prussians appeared on Napoleon’s right flank French surprised and they had arrived sooner than anyone had anticipated. Napoleon knew that his situation was precarious and he ordered his best troops, defeated them at the Imperial Guard forward, in an effort to rout the BritishBattle of Ligny. However, once again despite the heroism of the Imperial Guard the allied forces under Wellington held firm. The Prussians under Blucher began decided to arrive in ever greater numbers retreat towards Waterloo and as they did wait for the French main Prussian army began under General Blucher to disintegratereinforce him. The Old GuardOnce again, composed of veterans of many battlesNapoleon’s speed caught everyone by surprise, fought to the last man and this allowed before the remaining French forces to flee the battle. That night Blucher and Prussians could meet up with Wellington met , he had arrived at Waterloo and that is considered the end of the Battle. Waterloo was a victory for determined to force the allies but as Wellington himself asserted afterwards it was British into a narrow victorydecisive battle.<ref> Adkin, p. 178</ref>

==Outcome of Who had the Battlebetter army at Waterloo? ==[[File: Waterloo cost 4.jpg|thumbnail|left|300px|Napoleon addressing the British army around 14,500 dead or wounded troops before an attack]]The French and the Prussians under Blücher suffered some 7,200 casualtiesBritish armies were evenly matched in numbers. The French had slightly more cavalry and artillery. Wellington was very concerned about the quality of his multinational army . Many Dutch and Belgian soldiers who were not battle-hardened and in the British ranks had some 25many inexperienced soldiers. There was also a large German contingent who though experienced,000 to 26,000 killed or woundedhad served in the French army. Some 6000 to 7000 The French soldiers were taken prisoner and another 15army was composed of veterans,000 men desertedincluding elite units such as the ‘Old Guard. Waterloo ’ Wellington was a decisive victory for highly experienced soldier, and he established a strong defensive position on a ridge and had fortified some farmhouses in the alliesarea to protect his flanks.<ref> ChandlerBarbero, David Alessandro, <i>[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/00252366010802715001/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=00252366010802715001&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=ad13ccb381f4beab1b23a17089c55271 f7811af0d5bf48ffb1f7cacae70cd8ef The Campaigns Battle: A New History of NapoleonWaterloo]</i>, (New York: Macmillan, 1966translated by John Cullen), p(paperback ed. 156</ref> Napoleon’s army was no longer an organised fighting force and the British and Prussians were about to invade France), which was practically defenceless. 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 wold die. 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 the defeat of NapoleonWalker & Company, the great powers organised an international system that provided Europe with much-needed stability. At the Congress of ViennaLondon, the great powers with the exception of Britain established principles that provided some stability for Europe until the Crimean War, in a period of great change.<ref> Palmer2006), p. 23457</ref>

==The Reasons for As ever, Napoleon was in a hurry and decided to attack the Failure of Napoelon==The are several reasons for British and their allies before the failure of Napoleon at WaterlooPrussians arrived. One of He chose to attack the major reason for British the defeat of the French day after arriving at Waterloo was . He scheduled the timely arrival of Blucher, which was not anticipated by the French. Napoleon had not made enough preparations for this eventuality.<ref>Chandler, p. 134.</ref> Wellington attack to begin in his despatches to London made clear the importance early morning of the arrival 18th of Blucher and the Prussians. Another key reason was the unexpected bravery June, but he delayed it because of the British and the other allied soldierssaturated ground. Though inexperienced they bravely resisted The wet conditions meant that the onslaught of the Frenchcavalry could not conduct any charges. They had withstood many French attacks, including an assault from At 11 in the Imperial Guardmorning, widely regarded as some of the finest soldiers in Europe. Wellington and Napoleon ordered his officers had been able forces to provide attack the men with resolute leadership which meant village of Mont-Saint-Jean as he believed that their soldiers did not buckle under here was the repeated French chargesmain concentration of Wellington’s army.

Another factor == What was Napoleon's strategy at the terrible weather, heavy rain had turned much start of the battlefield into a mud bath, and this had greatly slowed Battle of Waterloo? ==The British were stationed below the French during their attacksvillage on some high ground. This was particularly When the case given that French saw the forces position of Napoleon were attacking uphillthe British, they commenced bombarding their lines.<ref> AdkinBarbero, p. 157114</ref> The weather had also delayed After an hour, the French attack by several hours began their assault, and this their goal 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 seize the arrival of their Prussian alliesHougoumont farmhouse. Then there There was Napoleon’s mistake in organizing the first attack on fierce fighting at this farmhouse all day, but the British centremanaged to hold out. The formation of the First French Corps was not suitable for a swift attack and this meant that it Wellington was relatively ineffective. According obliged to an official French investigation divert some of his reserves into the this battle the ‘inconceivable formation of the first corps, in masses very much too deep for the first grand attack.’<ref> Comte d'ErlonThis weakened his center, Jean-Baptiste Drouet (1815), Drouet's account of Waterloo and Napoleon decided to the French Parliament, p. 3</ref>Then there was the superiority of launch a massive attack on the British cavalrylines. Because of After another bombardment, the constant wars, French charged up the European armies could not access good horses. The British were able slopes to secure excellent horses from England and especially Ireland and this meant that they were more effective at Waterloo. On the other handBritish lines, the French cavalry horses were not as good and this was a real disadvantage.<ref>Adkinafter an hour of fierce fighting, pthey had forced Wellington’s lines back. 212</ref> The charge of It seemed that the British Heavy Brigade was particularly important at a most dangerous stage in the battle for the British and when they seemed were 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>

==Conclusion==Waterloo was the end of an era and the defeat of Napoleon 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<dh-ad/ref> The British army proved to be more capable than expected. The weather was also not in favour 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 end of the Napoleonic Wars in Europe.

Then the British commander ordered his Heavy Cavalry Brigade to stage a counterattack.<ref> Barbero, p. 156</ref> This managed to push back the French advance, although at a hefty cost. Napoleon ordered his cavalry to attack the British line and then ordered repeated infantry charges. This resulted in very high French casualties. The British, under the leadership of Wellington, held firm. Suddenly, the Prussians appeared on Napoleon’s right flank, and they had arrived sooner than anyone had anticipated. Napoleon knew that his situation was precarious, and he ordered his best troops, the Imperial Guard forward, to rout the British.  However, despite the Imperial Guard's heroism, the allied forces under Wellington held firm. The Prussians under Blucher began to arrive in ever-higher numbers, and as they did, the French army began to disintegrate. The Old Guard, composed of veterans of many battles, fought to the last man, allowing the remaining French forces to flee the fighting. That night Blucher and Wellington met, and that is considered the end of the Battle. Waterloo was a victory for the allies, but as Wellington himself asserted afterward, it was a narrow victory.<ref> Adkin, p. 178</ref> == How many casualties did the Battle of Waterloo have? ==Waterloo cost the British army around 14,500 dead or wounded, and the Prussians under Blücher suffered some 7,200 casualties. The French army had some 25,000 to 26,000 killed or wounded. 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 die.  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====