What if Napoleon had won the Battle of Waterloo? : What If

What if Napoleon had won the Battle of Waterloo?

Okay folks, let’s dive in. Napoleon's defeat at Waterloo was pivotal, right? But picture this alternate timeline: He actually wins. The implications are huge. Europe’s political landscape would've seen seismic shifts. Likely, the French Empire continues its expansion, maybe even solidifying control over the continent. The Congress of Vienna ends up a footnote, and the balance of power doctrine is thrown out the window.

Monarchies that allied against Napoleon might've crumbled under the renewed Napoleonic onslaught, possibly leading to a different spread of republicanism and nationalism in Europe. The long-term effects on colonialism and global power dynamics? Man, that’s a whole 'nother rabbit hole to fall down. Anyone else got thoughts or theories on this 'what if'?

Submitted 10 months, 4 weeks ago by history_buff_101

I dunno, as big as that win would have been, I doubt it changes the broader trajectory of history. Other powers would've just banded together later to take him down, probably. French Empire's expansion wasn't sustainable.

10 months, 4 weeks ago by ColonialHindsight

Napoleon wins and we all have to wear those silly bicorne hats. Everyone speaking French, eating snails and making love, not war. Oh la la, vive l'Empereur, am I right? 😂

10 months, 4 weeks ago by RevolutionaryTrolling

What if the victory led to a stronger push against Britain? Surely it could've changed the American expansion West if Britain had to focus on the Napoleonic threat and less on meddling in American affairs. Butterfly effect, people!

10 months, 4 weeks ago by time_warp_junkie

Imagine the Bourbon monarchy trying to claw back after another Napoleonic win... would've been so wild. They’d probably have to escape to England and plot for another comeback lol.

10 months, 4 weeks ago by TheBourbonKid

Honestly, I think it would've just delayed the inevitable. Europe was a ticking time bomb of nationalism and liberalism, and Napoleons rule would've probably just pissed more people off. Sure, France would've been bigger for a bit, but rebellions and revolutions would've happened eventually.

10 months, 4 weeks ago by Lil_NapoleonXXI

Fascinating subject! Victory at Waterloo could have consolidated Napoleon's power and he might have continued his reforms across Europe. French civil code could've been the law of the land in many more places, influencing legal systems even more profoundly than it already has.

France would have a better chance to advance their colonial ambitions as well, focusing on Africa and the Middle East without the British to challenge them. We could picture a world with a predominant French-speaking influence, at least until his death. After that, however, it's hard to imagine any successor maintaining the same level of control. Europe would likely see a fragmentation and possibly even more conflict as a result.

10 months, 4 weeks ago by AltHistoryGuru

napoleon was a military genius, no doubt he could've taken europe if waterloo was a W. but the real question is, what happens when he dies? does his empire last or fall apart?? successor probs wouldve been a mess

10 months, 4 weeks ago by General_Boney

Woah, that would be a game changer for sure. If Napoleon had won at Waterloo, there's a good chance we'd see France leading Europe in a way similar to how Britain did with its empire. Might've delayed the unification of Germany and Italy, who knows. France would have been the superpower for a while longer at least.