The Fall of Napoleon

Is it easier to gain power or to lose power?

Setting Events

• Failed invasion of Russia

• Inability to suppress rebellions

• Battle of Leipzig

• Strengthening of the Coalition– Great Britain, Russia, Spain, Portugal, Austria, Sweden, Prussia

Napoleon is Exiled

• 1814 – Forced to step down as emperor

– Exiled to island of Elba

– Louis XVIII became king

Elba

The Hundred Days

“Soldiers of the Fifth, you recognize me. If any man would shoot his emperor, he may do so now.”

• 1815 - Napoleon returned to France

• The military rejoined him– 140,000 of regular forces– 200,000 volunteers

• Ruled for 100 days

The Battle of Waterloo (June 18, 1815)

• Napoleon’s last battle– 69,000 French soldiers

• Arthur Wellesley: Duke of Wellington; led the armies of the Coalition– 127,000 soldiers from:

• Great Britain

• Spain

• Portugal

• Germany

• Netherlands

• Prussia

The Battle of Waterloo

After his fall…

• Imprisoned on St. Helena

• Died on May 5, 1821

– Age 52

– Controversy

Review

• How did Napoleon rise to power?

• What did Napoleon do with his power?– Within France?

– Across Europe?

• Why did Napoleon want to expand the French Empire?

• What led to Napoleon’s fall from power?

• What places were powerful in Napoleon’s life?