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Politics & World • Military History

Battle of Waterloo

The Battle of Waterloo was fought on 18 June 1815 near Waterloo in present-day Belgium.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

The Battle of Waterloo was fought on 18 June 1815 near Waterloo in present-day Belgium. It ended with the defeat of Napoleon Bonaparte by the Seventh Coalition, led by the Duke of Wellington and Marshal Blücher, and is widely regarded as the decisive battle that ended the Napoleonic Wars.

Background

The battle formed part of the Hundred Days, when Napoleon returned to power after escaping exile on Elba. He moved quickly to defeat the allied armies before they could fully concentrate against him.

The battle

Waterloo was fought between Napoleon's French army and Coalition forces under Wellington and Blücher. The fighting took place near the villages south of Waterloo, including areas such as Mont-Saint-Jean and Plancenoit.

Outcome and consequences

The Coalition victory destroyed Napoleon's hopes of restoring his empire. He abdicated days later and was sent into final exile, while the Napoleonic Wars came to an end.

Historical significance

Waterloo became one of the best-known battles in European history because it permanently ended Napoleon's rule and reshaped the balance of power in Europe.

Key facts

  • The battle was fought on 18 June 1815 during the Hundred Days.
  • Napoleon was defeated by the Seventh Coalition.
  • Wellington and Blücher led the Coalition forces.
  • Napoleon abdicated and was exiled to Saint Helena.
  • Waterloo ended the Napoleonic Wars.
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Canadian context

The battle helped shape the 19th-century European order that influenced British imperial policy and, indirectly, the wider Atlantic world in which British North America developed.

Frequently asked questions

When was the Battle of Waterloo fought?
It was fought on 18 June 1815.
Where did the Battle of Waterloo take place?
It took place near Waterloo in present-day Belgium, several kilometres south of the village itself.
Who won the Battle of Waterloo?
The Seventh Coalition won, defeating Napoleon's French army.
Who led the Coalition forces?
The main Coalition commanders were the Duke of Wellington and Marshal Blücher.
Why is the battle important?
It was Napoleon's final defeat and brought the Napoleonic Wars to an end.
Did the battle happen in Waterloo town itself?
No. The fighting took place south of Waterloo, but the name came into common use because of Wellington's headquarters and official dispatches.

References

  1. National Army Museum — https://www.nam.ac.uk/explore/battle-waterloo
    Supports: Date, combatants, commanders, and significance of the battle.
  2. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/event/Battle-of-Waterloo
    Supports: Date, location, troop strengths, commanders, and aftermath including Napoleon's abdication.
  3. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Waterloo
    Supports: General overview, location near Waterloo, and coalition composition.