Battle of Waterloo Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Battle of Waterloo - Essay ExampleFrance has found a charismatic and ambitious draw in the person of cat sleep Bonaparte. His string of victories in the battlefields of atomic number 63 all the more contributed to his steady swot up and prominence among the French people. Consequently, Frances rise to part brought unease among other European nations.Assured of his prominent status and support among the people, Napoleon launched a coup in 1799 that overthrew the Bourbon king and established himself as ruler and premier Consul. Later on, he would declare himself emperor for life (The Battle of Waterloo). Napoleon had wanted to make France the expertly powerful country in Europe and to achieve this he waged a campaign of annexation and colonization of lands which resulted in many victories for his force. The wars were later called the Napoleonic Wars.A coalition of major powers in Europe, notably the ample Britain, Russia, Prussia and Austria mobilized an army to meet the thr eat posed by Napoleons army. After a series of wars, the Allied army finally defeated Napoleon in 1814 thereby effectively checking his ambition of establishing France as the dominant power in Europe. Napoleon was subsequently deposed and exiled to the island of Elba along with some 600 of his loyal guards in accordance with the Treaty of Fontainbleau. The bourbon king, Louis 18 was made ruler of France by the victorious European powers (Battle of Waterloo).The Congress of Vienna was convened by the nations of Europe that defeated Napoleon to discuss the problems that arose after the fall of France. The Congress also wanted to re-establish the territorial sleep in Europe wherein the future and status of the nations conquered and annexed by Napoleons campaign in Europe were to be discussed.The unpopularity and ineptitude of Louis XVIII resulting in economic and social unrest left many veterans who fought with Napoleon and many citizens as well clamoring for change. The men who had fought alongside Napoleon remained a potent force and many matte up that their past efforts were wasted because of the governments corruption and insensitiveness to the needs of the people. Many were hoping that their deposed emperor would return and liberate them. Napoleon, accept that many in France would allow his return while others would not dare oppose it, decided to hazard a return and put forth plans to establish himself again as the ruler of France (Waterloo).On Feb. 26, 1815, Napoleon together with less than a thousand of his men, left Elba and landed on an unpopulated beach near Antibes. Napoleon is determined to return to Paris and early on the next day, he marched toward Grenoble with his men. Soldiers who were stationed in outposts outside Paris initially barred his advance but after offering the guards to shoot him because he has no intention of turning back, instead join him. Everywhere Napoleon marched, veteran soldiers and those soldiers serving the government joined his ranks. At Auxerre, Marshal Ney, Napoleons old comrade whom he once called the bravest of the brave, was overwhelmed by the presence of his former emperor. He embraced him and turned over to Napoleon the command of his 6,000 troops. Because of