What if Napoleon Had Won at the Battle of Waterloo?
WHAT IF . . . ? What If Napoleon Had Won At Waterloo? Despite the clemency shown England, that country suffered greatly. Although trade ties with continental Europe were restored, the economy was hampered by excessively high tariffs. In addition, the taxes necessary for maintenance of a standing army and a strong navy were nearly insupportable. The government, driven to such measures by the continued existence of Napoleon’s forces, realized its show of armed strength served a second purpose. It kept in line the reform movement at home. Ireland was plagued by continual revolts and bloody riots, and the English themselves were reduced to near starvation. In the midst of this state of affairs, Lord Byron led a major working-class rebellion in 1825. Unfortunately Byron–always a romantic at heart–had no head for the realities of war. The uprising was savagely suppressed, and Byron was executed. His death had a tremendous influence on the country and inspired a growing segment of the young
