Battle of Waterloo

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The Battle of Waterloo, fought on June 18, 1815, marked the final defeat of Napoleon Bonaparte and the end of the Napoleonic Wars. It was a pivotal clash between Napoleon's French Army and a coalition led by the Duke of Wellington and Marshal Gebhard von Blücher. The battle took place near Waterloo, south of Brussels, where Napoleon faced a combined force of British, German, Prussian, Dutch, and Belgian troops. Despite having approximately 72,000 soldiers, Napoleon's delayed start due to wet ground allowed Blücher's Prussians to join the battle, altering its course. Napoleon's strategy involved attacking Wellington's forces at their weakest point while pinning down their strongest. However, Wellington's defensive positions and the late arrival of the Prussians thwarted these plans. The French suffered heavy casualties, including the defeat of the Imperial Guard, leading to a chaotic retreat. The battle resulted in significant losses for both sides, with Napoleon losing nearly 40,000 men. His defeat led to his abdication and exile, marking the end of French dominance in Europe and ushering in a period of relative peace until the mid-19th century.