The Battle of Austerlitz, also known as the Battle of the Three Emperors, was fought on December 2, 1805, near Austerlitz in present-day Czech Republic, then part of the Austrian Empire. This battle is one of the most celebrated victories of Napoleon Bonaparte during the Napoleonic Wars.
The battle was the result of the War of the Third Coalition, where Austria, Russia, and Great Britain sought to halt the expansion of the French First Empire. Following the French victories at Ulm and Trafalgar, Napoleon's forces marched into Moravia with the aim to engage the combined Russo-Austrian army.
Napoleon used deceptive tactics to lure the Allies into a battle where he could take advantage of the terrain. The French emperor feigned a retreat to draw the Allies onto a plateau with marshy ground on one side and high ground on the other, which was critical for his strategy.
The battle began early in the morning with the French launching a surprise attack. Key moments included:
The battle resulted in a decisive French victory:
The Battle of Austerlitz is studied in military academies for its tactical maneuvers, particularly the use of terrain and the element of surprise. It also had significant political ramifications, leading to the dissolution of the Holy Roman Empire and the reorganization of German states into the Confederation of the Rhine.