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"As his famed opponent Arthur Wellesley (Wellington) said after defeating Napoleon the final time: "They came on in the same old way and we defeated them in the
by anonymo 16y ago
"As his famed opponent Arthur Wellesley (Wellington) said after defeating Napoleon the final time: "They came on in the same old way and we defeated them in the same old way.""
Cute, except that Waterloo was Wellington's one and only victory over Bonaparte. It was the only time they met on the battle field, and even then, Michel Ney made most of the tactical decisions (and mistakes) on that day.
Remembering Napoleon for Waterloo rather than Austerlitz, Ulm and Jena would be like remembering Hannibal for Zama. The fact that his name has become synonymous with his unremarkable defeat on that day, and that Wellington, a reactionary, anti-democratic, ennobled aristocrat, is somehow looked upon with favor in this country (America), even more so than his adversary who was an ally of America, who doubled the size of our country with the Louisiana Purchase and who actually planned on settling here after his second abdication, is a testament to the lasting power of the British anti-Bonapartist propaganda industry. More books were written about Napoleon in the 19th century than about any other man, living or dead, and most English languages books on him were written by Brits, and most of those books vilified him as the Corsican Ogre, the Great Usurper and so on. Were it not for this cottage industry that sprang up during the Napoleonic Era and lingered long after, most Americans would probably still have a favorable view of Napoleon as they did during his lifetime.
- nl 16y agoCute, except that Waterloo was Wellington's one and only victory over Bonaparte. It was the only time they met on the battle field, and even then, Michel Ney made most of the tactical decisions (and mistakes) on that day. That's true, but Wellington defeated French armies numerous times. Indeed, I think this is why the quote is famous - instead of Napoleon being some magical fairy dust that made the French army invulnerable, Wellington was making the point that he'd defeated them before and the actual fighting at Waterloo unfolded much like it had in all of the other battles Wellington fought (eg, in the Peninsular campaign). It also ignore just how close the battle was - indeed, most commentators think it is likely the French would have won if Napoleon had attacked Wellington earlier in the morning, instead of parading his army in an attempt to intimidate the British. (The argument is that he could have beaten the British before the Prussians arrived instead of having to split his forces). True or not, it does seem likely this was a mistake by Napoleon. Wellington was a reactionary, anti-democratic, ennobled aristocrat, but in many ways he was a better manager of his army than Napoleon was. For example, he always made sure his armies were supplied with food without having to steal from the local population. It was Wellington's logistical innovations in India that allowed the British to subdue the sub-continent - despite French attempts to stop them.
- Nick_C 16y agoAllow me to point out that anti-democratic in the context of the times (and especially Wellington) really means pro-monarchy. In other words, not for the oppression of the people that anti-democracy perhaps implies to the modern reader, but instead that monarchy is a better, more beneficial system for the people.
- nl 16y agoThis is true. But prior to his European campaigns, Wellington served as Chief Secretary for Ireland and in that position was responsible for policies that would be considered very oppressive these days. There is some evidence that he didn't agree with at least some of these policies (in particular I believe he tried to moderate the treatment on Irish tenants by English landholders). But yeah.. attitudes really were different then, and you can't just interpret things the same way.
- NickPollard 16y agoWellesley might have been an anti-democratic, ennobled aristocrat, but he wasn't the one who overthrew a republic and declared himself Emperor.