Waterloo and Balaclava
Two battles, two very different kinds of leadership. Study how the Duke of Wellington beat Napoleon at Waterloo, and how a confused order at Balaclava led to the Charge of the Light Brigade.
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Two battles, two leaders 🎖️
In 1815 the Duke of Wellington beat Napoleon at Waterloo. Nearly forty years later, at Balaclava in 1854, a confused order led to the famous Charge of the Light Brigade. This module looks at both battles and at how good and poor leadership shaped their outcomes.
Words to know 🔑
Four terms run through this topic. Learn them first.
Waterloo and Balaclava ⚔️
The two battles show very different kinds of command.
Weigh the leadership 💡
The best answers WEIGH the leadership. Waterloo shows strong, clear command by Wellington, who held his ground until the Prussians arrived. Balaclava shows the cost of poor communication, when a confused order sent the Light Brigade at the wrong guns. Judge how much leadership shaped each outcome.
Match the name 🔗
- Waterloo
- Duke of Wellington
- Balaclava
- Lord Raglan
- The 1815 battle that ended the wars against Napoleon
- The British commander who won at Waterloo
- An 1854 battle in the Crimean War
- The commander whose order caused the Light Brigade disaster
Who lost at Waterloo? 🎯
Which commander did the Duke of Wellington defeat at Waterloo in 1815?
- Napoleon
- Lord Raglan
- Prince Rupert
- William Wallace
Match the feature 🏇
- The Prussians
- Strong defensive ground
- The Light Brigade
- The Thin Red Line
- Allies who arrived to help Wellington win
- Held by Wellington until help came
- Charged the wrong guns after a confused order
- Highlanders who held firm against Russian cavalry
The Light Brigade disaster ✅
Which TWO of these help explain the disaster of the Charge of the Light Brigade? Choose all that apply.
- A confused, badly worded order
- Cavalry charging well-defended guns
- A huge British numerical advantage
- Careful, clear communication
Put it in order 🪜
An interactive activity.
Complete the sentences 🧩
At _____ in 1815 the Duke of Wellington defeated _____, helped by the Prussians. Nearly forty years later, at _____ in 1854, a confused order sent the _____ Brigade against Russian guns. The British commander there was Lord _____.
Count the years 🔢
An interactive activity.
Spot the reasons 🖍️
An interactive activity.
Sort the factor 🧭
An interactive activity.
Compare the leadership ✍️
An interactive activity.