Napoleonskrigen

The Napoleonic Wars were a series of major global conflicts spanning from 1803 to 1815 pitting the French Empire and its allies against a shifting series of European coalitions. These wars stemmed from unresolved disputes that originated during the French Revolution and were largely driven by Napoleon Bonaparte's imperial ambitions. The conflict saw France, under Napoleon's leadership, achieve significant victories through brilliant military strategy and large conscript armies. Key French triumphs included battles like Austerlitz and Jena-Auerstedt, which led to the establishment of a vast French empire across much of continental Europe.

However, Napoleon's ambitions eventually outstripped his resources and strategic capabilities. The disastrous invasion of Russia in 1812 marked a turning point, severely weakening his Grande Armée. This was followed by a series of defeats, including the Battle of Leipzig in 1813. A coalition of European powers, including Great Britain, Russia, Prussia, and Austria, ultimately forced Napoleon's abdication in 1814. Although he briefly returned to power in 1815 during the Hundred Days, his final defeat at the Battle of Waterloo ended his reign and profoundly reshaped the political map of Europe. The Congress of Vienna subsequently met to re-establish a balance of power and a lasting peace, though its resolutions would be challenged in the decades to come.