Napoleon’s Empire Collapses

Napoleon makes 3 Costly MistakesContinental System

Blockade of Britain

Economic plan to strengthen EuropeWeaken Britain

Smugglers and uncooperative allies

Britain responds with own blockadeBritain wins War of 1812 with

no major damage

Napoleon needs a male heirDivorces barren wifeMarries Austrian Princess

Has a son, Napoleon II

Peninsular War

Napoleon sends troops across Spain Causes a big protest

Napoleon makes his brother King of Spain

Spanish guerrillas resistSmall groups that attacked then disappearedBritain aids guerrillas

Napoleon loses 300,000 soldiersOther nationalist rebels fight the French

Portugal ignores Continental System

War lasts 5 years

The Invasion of RussiaRelations with Russia break down

Napoleon decides to invadeJune 1812 420,000 French Troops invade Russia

Russians use scorched-earth-policyBurn grain fields, slaughter live stock, and leave

nothing for the enemyNapoleon finds Moscow burnt

Tries to stay for 5 weeks and gave up

Ordered army back to FranceDisease, wounds, exhaustion, and severe cold

Only 10,000 troops make it back

Napoleon’s DownfallBritain, Prussia, Sweden, Russia, and Austria join forcesNapoleon’s army depleted

Lost over 710,000 troopsMust recruit poorly trained non-veterans

Napoleon quickly defeatedExiled to ElbaA tiny island off the coast of Italy

Napoleon’s EndLouis XVIII crowned king- The Hundred Days Begins

Soon overthrown and Napoleon returns

British and Prussian forces defeat FranceBattle of Waterloo

Napoleon exiled to St. HelenaDies six years later

Poisoned?