The Influence Of The Waterloo Campaign

The battle of Waterloo has been described by some as "the birth of modern Europe" (Wooten). It lead to the downfall of Napoleon, "the mind that had tested the major powers of Europe" (Wooten) and his French revolutionary army a standoff. One which cost the lives of thousands of British, Prussian and French soldiers. Although the Waterloo Campaign and the battle played out over a couple of days, remembered as one of the greatest battles of the 19th century in Europe.
The events before the Waterloo campaign are intriguing as they display how charismatic and persuasive leader Napoleon was. Two years after the catastrophic failure of Napoleon's Russian campaign, which had cost the lives of over 400,000 soldiers, "the myth of Napoleon's invincibility

By the 25th of March, an army of 600,000, the Allies put together to battle Napoleon. He had drawn up a generous peace agreement which the allies rejected. Now, the Waterloo Campaign had begun.
Napoleon was to face up against Europe's most feared, successful and veteran commanders. One of these, the Anglo-Irish Field Marshal Arthur Wellesley, better known as the 1st Duke of Wellington. Wellington commanded the Anglo-Dutch forces, being extremely experienced in battle. He had been embroiled in both the Flanders Campaign, the Mahratta War in India and notably in the Iberian Campaign against Napoleon. In this campaign, he worked massively with British Iberian allies, clearing the peninsula of the French and gained a reputation equal to Napoleon in battle.
The Prussian commander, Prince Wahlstadt Gebhard von Blücher, whom was over the age of 72 in 1815. Holding a hussar mentality in battle inspired his men and he showed determination of the battlefield. His passions included gambling, wenching and drinking, this caused conflict between him and his superiors in the past. He held a personal hatred for Napoleon due to his capture by French forces in 1806. He had a great love for the both his country and his troops. Von Bluchers wish to see Napoleon hanged, acted as a motivational factor in the Waterloo

Here Prussian forces created their defence line, not far south of Quatre Bras. On the first day, in the evening the French forces began the first assault on Prussian held villages. Intense and bitter fighting took place over the defensive positions of St. Amand, west of Ligny. St. Amand first taken by the French and retaken by the Prussians. The Battle of Ligny spilled over into the early hours of the 17th of June. Prussian forces agreed on retreating to Wavre, east of Waterloo, where the British forces held.
The 17th of June consisted of retreating north for the allied forces, an interlude in the fighting. French forces began to flank Quatre Bras, the reported position of British forces, but only upon their arrival the retreat discovered. The French began a pursuit north of the allied forces.
On the 18th of June the battle of Waterloo began. In the early morning hours, the British received confirmation that the Prussians were to come to their aid from Wavre, later in the day. The British held positions south of Waterloo, Hougomont a notable fortification. Intense fighting took place here as the British tried to hold it. At 11:30 the first assault began, French artillery bombarded the British forces. The fighting was intense, British forces faced heavy losses while being pushed back by massive French cavalry charges. With the French dominating the early evening, things did not appear good for the British,