1 Brandon Delvo Hist 390 French Revolution Dr. Weinzierl 6 December, 2019 Waterloo: The Final Chapter of the Napoleonic Era Quick Facts: Date: June 18, 1815 Location: 15 kilometers south of Brussels Commanders:  French- Napoleon, Armee du Nord  Allies- The Duke of Wellington, Arthur Wellesley; Prussian, Field Marshal Gebhard von Blucher Forces:  French- 73,000 troops, 252 guns  Allies- 118,000 troops (68,000 Anglo-Allied, 50,000 Prussian), 156 guns Casualties:  French- 41,000  Allies- 17,000 Anglo-Allied, 7,000 Prussian The Battle of Waterloo is seen as the culminating and final chapter of Napoleon’s quest to control all of Europe. The fierce fighting that took place on that muddy field outside of Brussels in 1815 between Napoleon’s Armee du Nord and the Anglo-Allied forces under the command of the Duke of Wellington and Field Marshall Gebhard von Bluchar sealed Napoleon’s fate in his reemergence as Emperor of France and his quest for world domination. This battle has also been seen as the most crucial battle in history and the focal point in European warfare. The battle of Waterloo, and the events leading to, is analyzed in detail. Napoleon’s campaigns leading to his exile on Elba, return to the throne and eventual push to Waterloo. We also look at his strategy before, during and after the battle, to consider the other reasons that are responsible for Napoleon’s folly that day at Waterloo. Historical Background: The Waterloo Campaign started years before it began. A series of events would lead Napoleon to abdicate his throne and be exiled to the island of Elba in 1814.