1. Learning European History
Through Staging National Historical Events
International Comenius Project (2012 – 2014)
Battle at Austerlitz
A Czech historical event that influenced the whole European history
2.
3. Battle at Austerlitz
Battle of the Three Emperors
In this battle, Emperor Napoleon I with his French army defeated a
Russo-Austrian army led by Tsar Alexander I and Emperor Francis II in
nine hours on 2 December 1805.
The battle took place near Austerlitz (Slavkov u Brna) about 10 km
south-east of Brno (the capital of Moravia, present day part of the Czech
Republic, at that time lying in the Austrian Empire).
The battle was a tactical masterpiece.
…Which is perhaps why it was a bit
difficult for us to understand all the
movements of the regiments – let alone
trying to explain it to you… If we had
not seen the presentations at the
battlefield, we would have been lost…
4. Battle at Austerlitz
Battle of the Three Emperors
The battle ended the Third Coalition and later, on 26 December 1805,
France and Austria signed the a treaty confirming the Austrian cession of
lands in Bavaria and Italy to France and in Germany to Napoleon's
German allies. Also, 40 million francs had to be paid by the Habsburgs.
Moreover, the Confederation on the Rhine was created (it was a group of
German states that was intended as a buffer zone between France and
central Europe).
However, the war was
not over yet… Many
European countries
were afraid of the
French influence…
6. Battle at Austerlitz
Battle of the Three Emperors
The battle had a significant influence on European history.
- It was viewed as a battle of two regimes (conservative vs
revolutionary) by its contemporaries.
- Napoleon changed not only the map of Europe (Peace of Pressburg)
but also the textbooks of military tactics.
- In that time, it was a battle with the highest number of war victims.
- Two of the generals got a royal title: Bernadotte in Sweden (his family
line has ruled up today) and Murat in Naples.
7. Battle at Austerlitz
Battle of the Three Emperors
Famous Napoleonic “Austerlitz quotes“:
To his marshals: “Gentlemen, examine this ground carefully, it is going
to be a battlefield; you will have a part to play upon it.“
To his marshals: “One sharp blow and the war is over.“
To his soldiers: When you say: “I
fought at Austerlitz,“ everyone
will say – “Look, a hero!”
To Josephine: “I have beaten the
Austro-Russian army commanded
by the two emperors. I am a little
weary... I embrace you.“
8. Battle at Austerlitz
Battle of the Three Emperors
The photos were taken in
February 2014 during the Czech
Comenius week in Brno. All
students appeared on stage
directed by our drama teacher…
