Battle of Waterloo took place 18 June 1815 between the united army of European countries (England, the Netherlands and Prussia) and the troops of Napoleon Bonaparte.The tiny Waterloo, mediocre Belgian town near Brussels, not only went down in history, but also became the symbol humiliating defeat, unfortunate defeat;and rightly so - because of Waterloo Napoleon was the only unconditional defeat of his military career.
Battle of Waterloo was the culmination, completion of Napoleon's famous "100 days";After this defeat, all prityazaniyaBonaparta to create a world empire are gone.Moreover, even to remain "only" the French emperor failed.
After an extremely unsuccessful military campaigns 1812-1814, Napoleon was forced to accept the conditions of the victorious countries (Prussia, Sweden, Britain, the Russian Empire), to abdicate and go into honorable exile on the Mediterranean island of Elba.But even there, far from the turbulent events in Europe, Bonaparte did not abandon hope of returning to France, "revenge," once again become an active politician.March 1, 1815 Emperor landed on the coast of France, from that day counted 100 days of Napoleon.In just a few days, Bonaparte made his way from Cannes to Paris, everywhere encountering an enthusiastic reception and demonstration of devotion (especially loyal to the emperor turned the old soldiers of Napoleon's Guard).Louis Bourbon, ruled France after the abdication of Napoleon, fled abroad with his court.
All this adventurous idea was seriously alarmed European monarchs.It was decided to put an end to two decades of continuous era of the Napoleonic wars and inflict finally crushing blow to the Corsican "upstart."It was organized by a coalition of the Seventh European countries (Austria, Russia, Britain, Prussia), directed this time not against France but against Napoleon in person.Emperor Bonaparte was outlawed.It was decided to put up against the French army troops combined, the total number of which reached a million.The gradual concentration of the allied forces went in late spring - early summer 1815 in Belgium, along the eastern borders of France.Part of the Allied forces had come from Northern Italy.
This truly cyclopean Army Napoleon could oppose a relatively small force (to 300 000).In his army lacked not only ordinary soldiers, but officers;Battle of Waterloo ended in embarrassing defeat including because of confusion in the management of the army, unnecessary appointments.
Battle of Waterloo began in the early morning June 18, 1815 with the attack of the French army at the castle Ugumon.The main goal of his - to disorganize the British compound under the command of Wellington - the French could not be reached.On the contrary, all diversions cause significant damage of the Imperial Army.
numerical superiority of the allied forces, poor organization and management of Napoleon's army, incorrectly chosen tactics - all of this led to a crushing defeat of the French army.The Battle of Waterloo was one of the bloodiest battles in world history: the total number of victims reached 16 000 people were killed and about 70 000 - wounded.
After the defeat of Napoleon was forced to surrender his worst enemy - the British.He was forced to abdicate a second time and sent into exile a second time, this time to the remote island of St. Helena.The Battle of Waterloo was the last battle, the epoch of the Napoleonic Wars.
