Napoleon Bonaparte is generally regarded as one of the greatest commanders to ever live. Over a little more than a decade, he fought virtually every European power and acquired control of most of the European mainland, either by conquest or alliance.

Before the Napoleonic era, Germany had little national identity; under the weak rule of the Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation, it consisted of a loose grouping of states, huge numbers of small independent territories, bishoprics, church lands, and local principalities united only by a common language, and vague cultural ties. During his occupation of Germany, Napoleon mandated middle-sized states to absorb smaller territories, thereby abolishing many old regimes and initiating the dissolution of the Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation in 1806.

The French Revolution with its social and political reformations laid the groundwork for reforms of the consolidated in German states. After Napoleon, in the battle of Jena and Auerstedt defeated Prussia, Germany’s last great defiant territory, French occupation in central Europe became increasingly repressive and exploitative, sparking German nationalism and a revolt, which soon spread all over the German speaking territories. Finally, in the 1813 Battle of Nations near Leipzig, allied forces from Prussia, Austria, Russia, Spain, Portugal, Sweden, Britain and several smaller German states dealt Napoleon a devastating defeat that drove him and all his troops out of Germany, leading to his abdication a few months later.

In the end, the French domination that modernized and consolidated Germany had created the unification and sparked the nationalism necessary to enable German forces to help end the French emperor’s domination of Europe.

The Quadriga crowns the Brandenburg Gate, Berlin’s trademark triumphal arch. The four-horse chariot was looted by Napoleon in 1806 but returned after his defeat in the Battle of the Nations. Berlin, Germany

Before setting out to lead a tour through Leipzig, Napoleon look-alike, Jürgen Standke, pauses in front a self-portrait of a French prisoner of war. Leipzig, Germany

Mirrored in a man-made lake, Leipzig's Völkerschlachtdenkmal memorializes the victory of the allies over Napoleon at the Battle of the Nations in October 1813. Leipzig, Germany

As evening descends, the lights of the Schloss Wilhelmshöhe are reflected in a small park lake. Kassel, Germany

On the battlefield of Jena and Auerstedt, wooden windmills became important points of reference for troop movements. Krippendorf, Germany

Along the boulevard Unter den Linden, the statue of Wilhelm von Humboldt rests in front of Humboldt University. Berlin, Germany

Evoking the ghost of King Friedrich II of Prussia, historian and sociologist Dr. Olaf Kappelt, gives daily walking tours through Berlin’s historical center. Berlin, Germany

The Befreiungshalle, a classical monument commemorating the victories against Napoleon during the Wars of Liberation. Kelheim, Germany

Like clouds of fragrance, tourists drift through the 4711 perfume store in Cologne, which sells the world's oldest and most continuously produced fragrance. Cologne, Germany

Church ledgers served as makeshift splints for fallen soldiers in the battle of Jena and Auerstedt. Hassenhausen, Germany

Schloss Kapellendorf, an important strategic fortress during the Battle of Jena and Auerstedt now provides a backdrop for historic re-enactments. Krippendorf, Germany

Robert Heyne, the founder of the Heimatstube, a small privately run museum near Jena, dedicated to the battle of Jena and Auerstedt of 1806, in a historic French uniform. Krippendorf, Germany

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Napoleon in Germany