Battle Wednesday: The Battle of Leipzig

     Hello everybody and welcome back to another edition of Nations Made Fun! I'll be your host, Mr. Nations, your tour guide to this massive ball of rocks we call home! Today we'll be taking a look at the Battle of Leipzig, the first time two European countries came together to defeat a common enemy. Well, what are we waiting for? Let's dive straight into it!

     The victory in 1813 against Napoleon marked the first allied victory against a common enemy in European countries. As the largest military engagement at the time, Leipzig led to the fall of France and the elimination of Napoleon.

     After the Russian army (and winter!) defeated Napoleon, Europe felt that peace would finally prevail. Europe was wrong. As soon as Napoleon returned to France from cold Russia, he began to rebuild his army by recruiting teens and men who wanted to fight for their country. He also drafted veterans from the Spanish front to help strengthen the scores of inexperienced soldiers.

     Many historians believe that if Napoleon had won at Leipzig, the French would have not come back for the Battle of Waterloo, giving the French the victory and likely control over all of Europe.

     Fun Facts:

• 198,000 French troops fought for Napoleon with a total of 717 guns to go among them.
• The Battle of Leipzig was the biggest battle of the Napoleonic Wars.
• The Battle of Leipzig is quoted as the first battle where Napoleon clearly lost.

     Napoleon Bonaparte:

     

     Sources: http://www.historyplace.com/worldhistory/topten/index.html

     https://www.history.com/topics/france/battle-of-leipzig