October 1806Reputable sourceWell documented
Jena-Auerstedt and the Fall of Prussia
On the timeline · around October 1806 ·
What happened
When Prussia belatedly went to war, Napoleon destroyed its vaunted army in a single day. In twin battles fought on 14 October 1806 at Jena and Auerstedt, the French routed the Prussians and days later marched in triumph into Berlin. The kingdom that prided itself on the legacy of Frederick the Great was brought to its knees.
Why it matters
Jena-Auerstedt left Napoleon master of Germany and humiliated Prussia so thoroughly that it launched sweeping military and social reforms — reforms that would help forge the army that returned to beat him at Waterloo.
Sources
- World History Encyclopedia. Battle of Jena-Auerstedt · Reputable source