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History: The Napoleonic Wars: Battle of Austerlitz

This research guide gives an overview of the Napoleonic Wars with resources on the wars. The guide is meant to spur interest in the Napoleonic wars and to show what resources the library has on the subject.

Commanders

Portrait of Napoleon in his late thirties, in high-ranking white and dark blue military dress uniform. In the original image he stands amid rich 18th-century furniture laden with papers, and gazes at the viewer. His hair is Brutus style, cropped close but with a short fringe in front, and his right hand is tucked in his waistcoat.

Napoleon I, Emperor of the First French Empire

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Alexander I "the blessed" Emperor of Russia

Francis II and I (Last Holy Roman Emperor and First Emperor of Austria 

Overview

The Battle of Austerlitz

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Battle of Austerlitz, 2 December 1805, romanticized painting by French artist François Gérard, c. 1810

The Battle of Austerlitz was fought between French Empire under Napoleon I against a coalition force of Russian and Austrian forces on December 2nd, 1805. The battle resulted in a decisive victory for the French effectively ending the War of the Third Coalition. Leading up to the battle Napoleon's goal was to force a decisive engagement before the Austrians and Russians linked their armies, but the coalition armies were able to link up. Napoleon laid a trap for the coalition. By abandoning the Pratzen Heights and weaking his right flank Napoleon enticed the coalition to attack, thus weaking the coalition center. Marshal Devout's Corps arrived to fill the gap left by Napoleon on his right flank, thus allowing the French to attack and destroy the Coalition center. The French winning this battle caused the dissolution of the Holy Roman Empire and the withdrawal of Austria from the conflict, at least for a while. The total combatants for this battle was approximately 140,000 to 164,000 men with 75,000-89,000 Coalition combatants and 65,000-75,000 French combatants. The total casualties for the battle were between 35,852 and 44,852, with 8,852 French casualties and between 27,000 and 36,000 Coalition casualties.

Animated Battle Map