Battle of Leipzig
Leipzig, Kingdom of Saxony
What happened
Emperor Napoleon fought the armies of Austria, Russia, Prussia and Sweden, led by Karl von Schwarzenberg, Gebhard von Blücher, Crown Prince Charles John of Sweden and Levin von Bennigsen. After Napoleon's disaster in Russia, a great alliance of European countries set out to drive the French from Germany. Over four days around the city of Leipzig, the allied armies slowly surrounded the French, and Napoleon was forced to retreat.
Why it matters
Result: Coalition victory. Why it matters: Called the 'Battle of the Nations', it was the largest battle of the Napoleonic Wars. France lost control of Germany east of the Rhine.
What came next
Napoleon was forced to abdicate and was exiled to Elba in 1814. A giant monument was completed at Leipzig in 1913, for the battle's 100th anniversary.
Did you know?
The Monument to the Battle of the Nations in Leipzig stands 91 metres tall and was partly paid for with a lottery.
Timeline
- 1812Napoleon's invasion of Russia ends in disaster.
- 16-19 October 1813The allies defeat Napoleon at Leipzig.
- 1814Napoleon abdicates and is exiled to Elba.
- 1913The Monument to the Battle of the Nations is completed.