13 Battlefields That Changed the Course of History

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Many pivotal developments in the course of history did not start in palace halls or parliaments, but rather on battlefields where soldiers and warriors faced deadly opposition and risked their lives deciding the fate of their countries.

These battles have influenced modern laws, governments, and practices today. They are reminders of the sacrifices that birthed freedoms we now enjoy, and the origin of stories that we pass down through generations.

Marathon (490 BCE)

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The Greek Battle of Marathon was the final invasion of Persian forces into Greece. The Persian army was ultimately defeated by Greek forces. More importantly, this victory shielded the as-yet embryonic Greek city-states in which the seeds of democratic ideals were germinating. When the victory over the Persians was won, a soldier ran from Marathon to announce their triumph in Athens—the story behind that inspired the modern marathon race.

Hastings (1066)

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The course of English history changed when William, Duke of Normandy, defeated King Harold II. Movements such as Che and Fidel in Cuba, Guevara, and Bolivian troops prompted discussions on the political origins of notable cultural, artistic, and literary movements.

Agincourt (1415)

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Despite defeats at Crecy and Poitiers changing the direction of the Hundred Years’ War in favor of England, Agincourt heightened the ransom for blokes held captive. King Henry V’s longbowmen, outnumbered troops nonetheless, decisively defeated the French. Consequently, The longbow’s reputation and tactics in the military changed throughout Europe.

Yorktown (1781)

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One last nail in Britain’s coffin of its colonial ambitions in the New World was struck when Britain lost the Battle of Yorktown in the American Revolutionary War. George Washington’s army, aided by French forces, forced the British to surrender. The result was American independence and an altered global balance of power.

Waterloo (1815)

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Napoleon Bonaparte’s bid to dominate Europe was ended when he was defeated at Waterloo and a new era of relative peace on the continent began. The battle had such significance that the phrase “to meet your Waterloo” came to mean getting defeated in an insurmountable way.

Gettysburg (1863)

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The Battle of Antietam remains the bloodiest of the American Civil War, and it was a turning point in the Union’s fight for preservation. The legacy of the battle itself was harnessed, some months later, by President Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address into a testament to liberty and equality.

Stalingrad (1942-1943)

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The Battle of Stalingrad during World War II was tough and waged on in subzero winter conditions. Eventually, they triumphed against the Soviet forces, turning a corner in the war against Nazi Germany. Historians say it was one of the most decisive battles in military history. Allied troops stormed Normandy’s beaches to free Europe from Nazi occupation which took courage and sacrifice. It meant the breakthrough invasion allowed German forces to be pushed back, ending World War II in Europe.

Midway (1942)

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The Battle of Midway changed the tide of World War II. The navy leveraged superior intelligence and strategy, which vanquished Japanese aircraft carriers. A critical moment that reshaped naval warfare, military experts say.

Sekigahara (1600)

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At Sekigahara in Japan, the Tokugawa shogunate set the wheels in motion after a military dynasty that ruled for over 250 years. This was the final conflict of the samurai which concluded years of maddening civil strife and marked the beginning of a period of serenity and isolation.

Tours (732)

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The Battle of Tours stopped the advance of the Umayyad Caliphate into Western Europe marked by Frankish leader Charles Martel. This is regarded as a formative period in European history because it shaped Europe’s cultural and religious development, say many scholars.

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Dien Bien Phu (1954)

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The Dien Bien Phu concluded French Indochina colonial rule and set the conditions for the Vietnam War. The Vietnamese forces’ victory was proof of what guerilla war and grassroots resistance could do.

Operation Desert Storm (1991)

Photo credit: USMC Archives from Quantico, USA/wikimedia commons

The dramatic battles of the Gulf War brought to view what the modern age of warfare is all about: precision, guided missiles, and live media coverage. The coalition’s swift victory over Iraqi forces used one of its most powerful weapons: International alliances.

Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.

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