After Napoleon was defeated in the Russian campaign of 1812, General Yorck concluded the Convention of Tauroggen with General Diebitsch on 30 December 1812. The fighting between Prussia and Russia came to an end. Both countries signed an alliance agreement before declaring war on France on 16th March 1813. On 12 August 1813, Austria also declared war on France. One day before, the coalition's army crossed the Oder. Their goal: to fight against Napoleon's troops. Two months later and following several defeats, Napoleon retreated to unite his army around Leipzig. The allies' armies also started to make a move.
The Battle of the Nations was initiated on 14 October 1813 with a cavalry fight near Liebertwolkwitz, in which over 14,000 riders participated. Napoleon insisted on a conclusive battle and fought from 16 to 19 October 1813 with his far outnumbered troops against the allies' army. With around 600,000 participating soldiers from a dozen different nations, this fight remained the largest battle in world history until the beginning of the 20th century. Over 100,000 soldiers lost their lives in this battle.
Defeated, Napoleon retreated with his troops on 19 October 1813. The allies stormed Leipzig which, at the time, was home to a mere 30,000 residents. Many of the wounded 59,000, from both sides, died on the days which followed, due to the lack of available medical care. A typhus epidemic broke out in Leipzig.
Napoleon's defeat put an end to his quest for power on German soil once and for all.
After Napoleon was defeated in the Russian campaign of 1812, General Yorck concluded the Convention of Tauroggen with General Diebitsch on 30 December 1812. The fighting between Prussia and Russia came to an end. Both countries signed an alliance agreement before declaring war on France on 16th March 1813. On 12 August 1813, Austria also declared war on France. One day before, the coalition's army crossed the Oder. Their goal: to fight against Napoleon's troops. Two months later and following several defeats, Napoleon retreated to unite his army around Leipzig. The allies' armies also started to make a move.
The Battle of the Nations was initiated on 14 October 1813 with a cavalry fight near Liebertwolkwitz, in which over 14,000 riders participated. Napoleon insisted on a conclusive battle and fought from 16 to 19 October 1813 with his far outnumbered troops against the allies' army. With around 600,000 participating soldiers from a dozen different nations, this fight remained the largest battle in world history until the beginning of the 20th century. Over 100,000 soldiers lost their lives in this battle.
Defeated, Napoleon retreated with his troops on 19 October 1813. The allies stormed Leipzig which, at the time, was home to a mere 30,000 residents. Many of the wounded 59,000, from both sides, died on the days which followed, due to the lack of available medical care. A typhus epidemic broke out in Leipzig.
Napoleon's defeat put an end to his quest for power on German soil once and for all.