The Battle of Leipzig, also known as the Battle of Nations, was fought from 16 to 19 October 1813 at Leipzig, Saxony. It was one of the most significant battles of the Napoleonic Wars and was pivotal in the downfall of Napoleon Bonaparte.
The battle came after a series of French defeats in Russia (1812) and Germany (1813), leading to a coalition of European powers against Napoleon. This coalition included:
Napoleon, in an attempt to stabilize his control over Europe, had to face this coalition at Leipzig.
The battle unfolded in several phases:
The battle involved approximately 560,000 soldiers, making it the largest battle in European history before World War I. Casualties were immense, with estimates suggesting:
The defeat at Leipzig was a significant blow to Napoleon:
The Battle of Leipzig is commemorated by the Monument to the Battle of the Nations in Leipzig, which was completed in 1913 to mark the 100th anniversary of the battle. This monument is one of the largest war memorials in Europe.