The Battle of Waterloo was fought on 18 June 1815 near Waterloo in present-day Belgium, then part of the United Kingdom of the Netherlands. This pivotal battle marked the final defeat of Napoleon Bonaparte and effectively ended his Hundred Days campaign, which was his brief return to power following his exile to Elba.
After escaping from Elba in February 1815, Napoleon retook control of France, causing European monarchies to mobilize against him. The Seventh Coalition, consisting mainly of the United Kingdom, Prussia, Austria, and Russia, was formed to oppose Napoleon's return. The decisive battle would take place in Belgium, where the armies of the Duke of Wellington and Field Marshal Gebhard Leberecht von Blücher were positioned to meet Napoleon's forces.
The Battle of Waterloo began around 11:30 AM on 18 June 1815. Napoleon's plan was to attack the Anglo-allied army commanded by Wellington, hoping to defeat it before the Prussians could arrive to reinforce it. Here are key points:
The defeat at Waterloo led to Napoleon's final abdication on 22 June 1815. He was subsequently exiled to the remote island of Saint Helena, where he died in 1821. The battle had profound implications:
The Battle of Waterloo is often seen as one of the most decisive battles in European history, influencing military strategy, the political landscape, and the concept of European balance of power. It is commemorated annually in Belgium, with reenactments and historical events.