The 200th Anniversary of the Battle of the Nations

200 years ago The Battle of the Nations took place in and around Leipzig signalling the beginning of the end for Napoleon. Although often seen as the catalyst for the idea of a united Germany, in the end it heralded the restoration in France and was actually viewed as a war against the ideas of the French Revolution by Europe’s monarchs and members of the ruling classes such as Count Metternich.

Indeed, the victorious "German" Generals Stein and Gneisenau thought they were fighting for their freedom and liberty from occupation and oppression from a foreign power, not to put the old guard back in power.

They were wrong.

Almost immediately after the battle the political reforms which had been introduced in the years from 1807 to 1812 were either delayed or outright blocked.

This was followed by a rapid expansion of the political police and a highly organised secret police apparatus which drove many people into what later under the Nazis became known as "internal emigration.

This created a peaceful un-politicised time with a brief interlude in 1830 and 1848, setting the stage for a German Nationalism personified by Kaiser Wilhelm I yet managed by the Realpolitik of Bismarck.

Unfortunately for Germany, and eventually the world, Kaiser Wilhelm II wasn't impressed by Bismarck's approach, pensioning him off and taking matters much more into his own hands.

There are those who would maintain that Napoleon's defeat at The Battle of the Nations and the collapse of the ideals of the French Revolution outside of France gave rise to a "Prussian" Germany. They would also draw a straight line from Leipzig through Paris by way of Koeniggraetz up to the World Wars I and II.

That is understandable, but I would deem it to be too subjective.

I would rather look at the weaknesses of Wilhelm I and the lack of checks and balances inherent to a Monarchy.

Regardless it is interesting to see that representatives from all the various participants in The Battle of the Nations have gathered in Leipzig for the 200th Anniversary.

Next year is the 100th Anniversary of the start of World War I. I wonder how that is going to be marked and if 100 years is enough to bury hatchets.