‘Chelsea Pensioners Reading the Waterloo Dispatch’ by David Wilkie (1785-1841) shows elation at the military Hospital in London when news of the Duke of Wellington’s victory came through. Napoleon’s vision of a Europe-wide French Empire governed through his relatives and chosen lieutenants had led to a decade of bloodshed and thrown all Europe into utter confusion; no wonder the pensioners were glad that Britain, at least, had escaped relatively unharmed.
Introduction
In 1804, Napoleon Bonaparte wrapped up the short-lived French Republic, crowned himself Emperor of the French, and set about conquering Europe. However, failure to invade Moscow in 1812 was the first sign of vulnerability, and on June 18, 1815, his dream was ended by allied forces commanded by the Duke of Wellington.
WHEN it ended in 1713, the War of the Spanish Succession had confirmed that the French had designs on Britain as well as other European states,* and during the Seven Years War of 1756-63 Louis XV harassed British colonies in North America and India too.* When thirteen American Colonies broke away and declared independence as the United States of America in 1776, it was done with French help.*
The French Revolution in 1789 brought no change. Fired with enthusiasm for the cause of republicanism, the new Government in Paris continued to threaten the United Kingdom;* but the most serious threat came from Napoleon Bonaparte, who declared himself Emperor of the French in 1804.* In 1814, following a disastrous assault on Moscow (intended to forestall any Anglo-Russian alliance) and defeat in the Peninsular War at the hands of Arthur Wellesley,* Napoleon was forced into exile as governor of Elba; but it was only a matter of months before he collected a few hundred loyal men and marched back to a hero’s welcome in Paris.
See The War of the Spanish Succession.
See The Seven Years’ War.
See The American Revolutionary War.
It was not always particularly alarming. See Jemima Fawr and the Last Invasion of Britain.
See Home Page.
See Retreat from Moscow and The Peninsular War.
Précis
The Battle of Waterloo was the culmination of decades of struggle between the rulers of France and the Kingdom of Great Britain, and the coronation of Napoleon Bonaparte as French Emperor in 1804 promised more strife. His campaign stumbled after his retreat from Moscow in 1812, but three years later he returned to Paris full of renewed hopes. (58 / 60 words)
The Battle of Waterloo was the culmination of decades of struggle between the rulers of France and the Kingdom of Great Britain, and the coronation of Napoleon Bonaparte as French Emperor in 1804 promised more strife. His campaign stumbled after his retreat from Moscow in 1812, but three years later he returned to Paris full of renewed hopes.
Variations: 1.increase the length of this precis to exactly 65 words. 2.reduce the length of this precis to exactly 55 words. 3.introduce one of the following words into the precis: about, besides, despite, just, may, not, or, who.
Word Games
Jigsaws Based on this passage
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