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If Bonaparte had won it seems likely that Europe would have once again experienced a series of wars.<ref> Barbero, p. 178</ref> Waterloo ended the career of Napoleon - one of the greatest generals in history. It also ended the last serious attempt by France to dominate Europe. The battle was to bring four decades of international peace to Europe. In the aftermath of the defeat of Napoleon, the great powers organized an international system that provided Europe with much-needed stability. At the Congress of Vienna, the great powers except for Britain established principles that provided some stability for Europe until the Crimean War, in a period of significant change.<ref> Palmer, p. 234</ref>

The are several reasons Napoleon failed at Waterloo. A significant factor in Napoleon's defeat was the timely arrival of Blucher, which was not anticipated by the French. Napoleon had not prepared for the arrival of the Prussian army.<ref>Chandler, p. 134.</ref> Wellington in his despatches to London made it clear how import Blucher's arrival was to the outcome of the battle.