Battle of Waterloo (1815)

Question 1

What were three reasons for the outcome?

Answer 1

-British infantry were positioned on the reverse of the ridge line which made it difficult for the French troops opposite to see or fire on them, marshy waterlogged land between the armies,, which was hard to move across
-Wellington positioned Allied army next to Chateau de Hougoumont (large, strong stone building) and a group of stone farm buildings so infantrymen could take cover from artillery fire, stronghold to defend from
-Prussian troops’ arrival and defeat of French Imperial Guard. Prussian troops supported wavering English infantry so, as a last chance effort, Napoleon sent FIG, who fired at by artillery and infantry, defeating them

Question 2

What were the roles of the leaders?

Answer 2

-Wellington positioned his troops on the reverse of the ridge line, making it difficult for French troops opposite to see or fire on them
-When French Imperial Guard attacked, Wellington ordered Allied artillery to fire and instructed British infantry to stand in lines and fire on FIG when close
-Wellington made himself visible to the troops by riding up and down the lines, despite danger saying “I, and every Englishman on this field, must stand and die on the spot which we now occupy.”