Napoleon and the History of the Iron Cross

Thomas Schuler sheds light on the history of the Iron Cross – from the Wars of Liberation against Napoleon to the present day. On the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the Bundeswehr, he also addresses its current significance as a military symbol and a part of collective memory. The Iron Cross is one of the most well-known military honors in Germany. Historian and Napoleon expert Thomas Schuler traces the origins of this award in his lecture – from its inception in the context of the Wars of Liberation against Napoleon to its tumultuous history in the 20th and 21st centuries. In light of the 70th anniversary of the Bundeswehr, the question of what significance the Iron Cross still holds today – both as a military symbol and as part of collective memory – is also explored.