Battle of Wagram
Wagram, northeast of Vienna
What happened
Emperor Napoleon fought the Austrian army of Archduke Charles, brother of Emperor Francis II. Austria went to war with Napoleon again, and in May 1809 Archduke Charles defeated him at Aspern-Essling, near Vienna. Six weeks later, Napoleon's army crossed the Danube River at night from the island of Lobau to the plain called the Marchfeld. After two days of fighting, Napoleon used a great battery of cannons and a cavalry charge, Marshal Davout pushed back the Austrian left, and Charles withdrew.
Why it matters
Result: French victory Continuation of the Fifth Coalition until Armistice of Znaim. Leader: Napoleon I / Nicolas Oudinot. Why it matters: It was the largest battle in European history up to that time. Austria was forced to make peace.
What came next
Charles asked for an armistice after the Battle of Znaim. Under the Treaty of Schönbrunn Austria lost one sixth of its subjects.
Did you know?
Archduke Charles, who had epilepsy, was the general credited with handing Napoleon his first major defeat, at Aspern-Essling.
Timeline
- May 1809Archduke Charles defeats Napoleon at Aspern-Essling.
- 5-6 July 1809Napoleon defeats Archduke Charles at Wagram.
- 1860A statue of Archduke Charles is erected on Vienna's Heldenplatz.