Napoleon’s Empire Collapses

First mistake: Continental SystemNapoleon sets up a blockade to prevent all

trade between Europe and Great BritainSelf sufficiency

Led to smuggling cargo Britain then stops all ships coming to

countries controlled by NapoleonIndia, African colonies, United States, Canada

Ends up hurting Napoleon more than BritainAlso causes the War of 1812 between the

US and Britain

Napoleonic mistakes

Second mistake: Peninsular WarInvades Portugal and SpainNapoleon makes his own brother King of SpainSpanish resist, start guerrilla warfare

Peasant fighters, hid in the hills, not an organized army – but VERY effective

Ended up costing Napoleon 300,000 menStarts to inspire others across Europe to rebel

Napoleonic mistakes

Russia was Napoleon’s ally, but they continued trade with Britain

Napoleon decides to invade in June 1812Sends 420,000 troops into RussiaCzar Alexander of Russia retreats, burning

everything he can (grain fields, livestock)Scorched earth policy – why did they do this?

Battle of Borodino – two armies finally fight a battle, Napoleon wins

March to Moscow – down to 100,000 soldiers

Biggest mistake of all

Napoleon marches into Moscow, only to find it totally ablaze

Alexander destroyed it rather than let the French “win” it

In October Napoleon decides to take his troops back to France

They get caught in the winter, most freeze to death or die from enemy attacks

Only 10,000 make it back alive

Russia

Now Britain has Russia, Prussia and Sweden allied against him

Austria now declares war on FranceNapoleon raises a new armyOctober 1813 defeated at Leipzig (Germany)January 1814 – allies invade FranceMarch 1814 – King Frederick William of

Prussia and Czar Alexander lead troops in a parade through Paris

Napoleon’s downfall

Napoleon surrenders in April 1814, goes into exile on island of Elba off coast of Italy

Louis XVI’s brother Louis XVIII becomes king, monarchy restored

Started to undo most of the reforms of the revolution

Becomes very unpopular

Exile

Napoleon returns from exileMarches from Elba through Italy and over the

Alps into FranceCrowds cheer him, Louis’s army deserts him

and join NapoleonNapoleon is emperor once againEuropeans quickly get their armies back

together

The Hundred Days

British led by the Duke of Wellington masses troops near Waterloo (in Belgium)

Napoleon attacks, but British defend their ground

Prussian troops arrive to help BritishTwo days later, French troops start to collapseNapoleon surrendersBritish send him to St. Helena, an island in the

South Atlantic and the middle of nowhereHe dies there in 1821

Waterloo

“He was as great a man can be without virtue”

Opened the door for the victorious European powers to establish a new order in Europe

Result of Waterloo