Battlefields of Europe

The War of the Sixth Coalition (1812–1814) was a major conflict during the Napoleonic Wars, where a group of European powers united to defeat Napoleon Bonaparte after his failed invasion of Russia. The coalition included Russia, Prussia, Austria, the United Kingdom, Sweden, Spain, and Portugal. Opposing them were Napoleon’s allies such as Denmark-Norway, the Confederation of the Rhine (a group of German states), the Kingdom of Italy, and initially Naples. Bavaria and several other German states switched sides in 1813. The war began with Napoleon’s disastrous Russian campaign, where harsh winter and Russian tactics devastated his army. In 1813, the coalition forces launched a large-scale offensive in Central Europe. The turning point came at the Battle of Leipzig (also known as the Battle of Nations) in October 1813, where Napoleon was soundly defeated. In early 1814, coalition armies invaded France, eventually capturing Paris. Napoleon abdicated in April 1814 and was exiled to the isla