The Decisive Battles of World History

x Of the French and Spanish ships, all but 11 were captured or sunk.

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not a single vessel was lost, though many were heavily damaged,

and there were 1,600 casualties.

Outcomes
x Trafalgar was one of the keys to defeating Napoleon’s goal of
universal domination. Although Napoleon’s power was as yet
unchallenged on the continent, Trafalgar put an end to his plans
to invade England. By ensuring England’s survival, the battle
guaranteed that there would always be a strong European nation that
could and would provide a focal point for opposition to Napoleon.

x After Trafalgar, Napoleon pulled his armies away from the English

Channel and instead committed them, disastrously, to the invasion

of Russia. Although it would still take much to defeat Napoleon,

Trafalgar was the battle that checked his ascendency and marked

the beginning of his decline.

Adkins, Trafalgar: The Biography of a Battle.

Cannadine, Trafalgar in History.

Knight, The Pursuit of Victory.

Pocock, ed., Trafalgar: An Eyewitness History.

1. Which of the many technological advancements mentioned in this
   lecture do you think most revolutionized naval warfare and why?


2. How much credit for the victory at Trafalgar do you think was due to
   Nelson and how much to the general superiority of the English sailors in
   terms of training and experience?

Suggested Reading

Questions to Consider