The Emperor and the Duke: A Comparative Leadership Analysis of the Battle of Waterloo

This thesis explores the personal leadership contributions of Napoleon Bonaparte and the Duke of Wellington to the battle of Waterloo, June 18, 1815. It argues that the late eighteenth and early nineteenth century military reforms, which began to emphasize the importance of individuals in shaping the outcome of battles, produced an environment which was receptive to personal leadership. The thesis analyzes the earlier careers of Napoleon --at the battle of Austerlitz-- and Wellington --at the battle of Salamanca in order to compare their earlier leadership styles with their actions at Waterloo. It postulates that, although both Napoleon and Wellington distinguished themselves remarkably by maintaining an active control over the battles of their early careers, at the battle of Waterloo Wellington remained consistent with his earlier prowess for battlefield command while Napoleon's actions changed dramatically from what they had been in his earlier career.