Napoleonic Wars: Waterloo 1815

Napoleon Bonaparte, after dominating Europe for a decade, was exiled to Elba following his defeat by a coalition. He returned to France, rallying support, but faced a united coalition at Waterloo. Despite initial successes, Napoleon's forces were ultimately defeated. The battle marked the end of his rule and led to his exile to Saint Helena. Waterloo ushered in a period of peace in Europe, with no major wars for 40 years. The battle's legacy is captured in early photographs of veterans, linking us to this pivotal historical event.

Who was the ruler of France that was restored after Napoleon's initial defeat?

• Louis XVI

• Louis XVIII

• Charles X

• Napoleon III

What was the main reason Napoleon decided to return from exile?

• He was forced by his supporters

• He heard rumors that France would welcome his return

• He wanted to reclaim his empire

• He missed his family

What was Napoleon's strategy to deal with the coalition forces?

• To divide and defeat them separately

• To negotiate peace immediately

• To attack the British first

• To retreat and regroup

Where did Wellington choose to position his troops for the battle?

• On a flat plain

• Behind a gentle ridge

• In a dense forest

• Near a river

What was the decisive moment of the Battle of Waterloo according to Wellington?

• The arrival of the Prussian forces

• The retreat of the Imperial Guard

• The French breaking through the main gate at Hougoumont

• The capture of the farmhouse of La Haye Sainte

What mistake did Marshall Ney make during the battle?

• He ignored orders from Napoleon

• He attacked too early

• He failed to support a cavalry charge with infantry or artillery

• He retreated too soon

What was the outcome of the Imperial Guard's advance?

• They forced the Allies to surrender

• They broke through the Allied lines

• They were defeated and retreated

• They captured Wellington

What was the fate of Napoleon after the Battle of Waterloo?

• He was executed

• He regained power in France

• He escaped to America

• He was exiled to Saint Helena

How long did the period of relative peace last in Europe after Waterloo?

• 100 years

• 10 years

• 20 years

• 40 years

What significant technological advancement captured images of Napoleon's veterans 40 years after the battle?

• Television

• Radio

• Photography

• Film