The Battle of Waterloo was a decisive engagement fought on June 18, 1815, near Waterloo in present-day Belgium. It was the climax of the Napoleonic Wars and featured a coalition army composed of British, Dutch, Belgian, and Prussian forces against the French army commanded by Napoleon Bonaparte. The battle began in the morning and lasted until late evening, with brutal fighting taking place on muddy fields, which impacted troop movements. Napoleon aimed to defeat the coalition forces before they could combine their strengths. His strategy relied on speed and surprise, but the timely arrival of Blücher’s Prussian forces turned the tide against him.

The two principal commanders, Duke of Wellington and Gebhard Leberecht von Blücher, achieved victory through close cooperation. Wellington's forces held their ground against fierce assaults, while Blücher’s army arrived at a critical moment, preventing the French from perfectly executing their operational plans. The battle resulted in a resounding defeat for Napoleon, who was ultimately forced to abdicate the throne of France once again. This defeat marked the end of his rule and nearly two decades of warfare in Europe.

The aftermath of Waterloo was profound. The Congress of Vienna aimed to restore order and balance of power in Europe after years of conflict. The battle not only ended Napoleon's Hundred Days return to power but also established a new geopolitical landscape in Europe, which sought to prevent future threats of similar revolutionary leaders. The defeat solidified the reputation of the Duke of Wellington as a military leader and increased the standing of Prussia in European affairs.