Belligerents: Napoleon's French Army vs. a coalition led by the Duke of Wellington and Marshal Blücher.
Significance: Ended a 23-year war, French attempts to dominate Europe, and Napoleon's imperial power.
Background
Napoleon's Return: Escaped exile in March 1815 and resumed power.
Strategy: Aim was to separate and defeat the Prussian and Anglo-Allied armies.
Key Battles Leading to Waterloo
Ligny and Quatre Bras (16 June 1815)
Ligny: French victory over Prussians, inflicting 20,000 casualties.
Quatre Bras: Wellington's forces repelled a French attack, necessitating a retreat due to Prussian defeat.
A French corps failed to effectively engage due to poor coordination.
Retreat to Waterloo (17 June 1815)
Wellington's Strategy: Retreated to Waterloo while maintaining contact with retreating Prussians, preparing to fight until they arrived.
Forces at Waterloo
French: 72,000 men, 246 guns. Commanded by Napoleon Bonaparte.
Anglo-Allied: 68,000 men, 156 guns. Commanded by Wellington.
Prussians: 48,000 strong, moved swiftly to support Wellington.
Battle of Waterloo (18 June 1815)
Tactics and Positions
Wellington: Positioned forces behind a ridge at Mount St Jean, utilizing terrain to minimize artillery impact, and fortified outposts at Hougoumont, La Haye Sainte, and Papelotte.
Napoleon: Planned diversionary attack at Hougoumont followed by a main assault.
Battle Progression
Morning Attack: French assault on Hougoumont repelled.
Afternoon Developments:
French attacked Allied left center, were halted by British infantry.
Cavalry counter-charges led to French infantry being routed.
Capture of Eagle Standard: An important symbol, captured by the British.
Arrival of Prussians
Reinforced Wellington by mid-afternoon, forcing Napoleon to adjust strategy.
Defeat of the Imperial Guard
Evening Attack: Napoleon committed his elite Imperial Guard; however, they faced heavy resistance and were eventually defeated.
French retreat ensued, culminating in Napoleon's abdication and exile.
Aftermath and Impact
Duke of Wellington: Returned as a hero, later became Prime Minister.
End of French Dominance: Marked the end of French attempts to dominate Europe.
Long-term Peace: Initiated a period of European peace lasting until WWI.
Legacy
Cultural References: Waterloo has become a symbol of a decisive and final defeat.
Tourism: Site of the battle remains a major historical attraction.
Commemoration: References in media and cultural contexts, including Abba's song "Waterloo."
Notable Anecdotes
Uxbridge's Leg: Lord Uxbridge's leg became a tourist attraction after being amputated due to injury in battle.
Lion's Mound: A memorial built on the battlefield as a tribute.
Further Exploration
Related historical events and figures such as Wellington and the Peninsular War.
Artifacts from the battle are displayed in museums, offering insights into the era's military history.