Single most important battle in History?

[Dachs]

Stopped Muslim expansion into Europe. I think a Muslim western Europe, if not disastrous, is at least a verydifferent world.

The Muslims had no chance of taking over that stuff anyway. This isn't Civilization, where unlimited expansion isn't particularly difficult. It's having to deal with a Visigothic/early Hispanic insurrection in Asturias, trying to send large numbers of troops across the Pyrenees and maintaining them, actually defeating a primarily heavy force with light units used as shock cavalry (a really, really dumb idea) tactically, conquering the area, eliminating those annoying Christian feudals (who this time are not riven by religious troubles as were the Visigoths, i.e. the leftover Arians from the conversion a century prior), co-opting the populace, and actually holding on to the place.

Unlikely.

Actually, Tours is more important as consolidating Frankish power in Europe.

Very true; by Frankish, of course, perhaps replace "Carolingian", but yeah, Tours is more important for creating the precondition for the rise of Charlemagne.

 

[Tee Kay]

actually defeating a primarily heavy force with light units used as shock cavalry (a really, really dumb idea) tactically, conquering the area

The Mongols did it (Poland, Russia and Hungary). But by that time they, like the Arabs before them, overextended themselves.

 

[Dachs]

The Mongols did it (Poland, Russia and Hungary). But by that time they, like the Arabs before them, overextended themselves.

Mongols were less pure shock cavalry and more of a combined missile cavalry and light shock cavalry. That "missile" addition made a huge difference.

 

[Cheezy the Wiz]

Stopped Muslim expansion into Europe. I think a Muslim western Europe, if not disastrous, is at least a verydifferent world.

No it didn't. The Muslims had no interest in expanding into cold Europe, with it's barbaric, smelly, backwards people. The force at Tours was merely a raiding force; it would go out, kill some Franks, take some booty, and make for Al-Andalus. They had no intention of conquering France, or Europe, for that matter.

 

[holiday_hawk]

as an American i consider Saratoga to be a pretty important battle

 

[Kahran Ramsus]

as an American i consider Saratoga to be a pretty important battle

Definitely. I would consider it to be the second most important battle in American history. Saratoga is the battle that won the war.

 

[JohnRM]

What do you think is the single most important battle in all of History that had the farthest reaching consequences?

I'd have to say Salamis. This battle determined the future foundation of all western culture.

The most important battle, to me, not really for history...

The Battle of Lexington & Concord, April 19th, 1775.