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14 October 1806
Prussian defeat
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Reacting to Napoleon's increasing influence in Germany, the Prussian
king, Frederick William III, is rashly provoked into war against the French
before his Russian allies arrive. On 14 October 1806, the Prussians suffer
two devastating defeats on the same day. One sees Napoleon leading his
troops to victory at Jena, while at Auerstädt, General Davout commands
a second French victory over the duke of Brunswick, who has 70,000 men
to Davout's 24,000. The two defeated Prussian armies scatter in chaos.
The scale of the Prussian defeat stimulates a massive reform process
at home. Baron Heinrich von Stein and his successor Hardenberg carry through
a programme that includes the abolition of serfdom and of class privileges
in public office or state employment. The army is also reorganised. The
modernisation of the Prussian state strengthens Prussia for the final
struggle against Napoleon, which Prussia joins
in 1813.
'The spectacle of a field of battle after the combat is sufficient
to inspire princes with the love of peace and the horror of war.' Napoleon
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