Waterloo: A Strange Defeat?

Abstract

The Battle of Waterloo marked the end of a protracted European conflict that had lasted for twenty-three years. This period witnessed the seemingly inexorable rise of Napoleon, first to the position of general, then consul and finally emperor. It saw him face several kaleidoscopic coalitions of European powers, experience victory and defeat in battle, suffer exile, and return to rally France once again during the famous Hundred Days that ended at Waterloo. The question as to why this most famous of military strategists was defeated in June 1815 has long been a source of debate. Here, Beatrice Heuser explores the reasons why he lost the battle and – ultimately – the war, concluding that this was due to a broader failure of strategic vision on Napoleon's part.