Napoleon’s Downfall

Invasion of Russia Napoleon invades Russia June 23 rd, 1812 with about 691,000 men The Russians do very little fighting, but adopt a scorched-earth policy instead This is when you destroy everything that can be useful to the enemy (crops, livestock, transportation, etc.)

Invasion of Russia France enters an empty Moscow Russians put Moscow on fire to deprive the French of any shelter Napoleon is forced to retreat with the Russian winter and army closing in Extent of damage:  ¾ of all properties destroyed  6,496 of 9,151 destroyed  8,251 retail shops and warehouses destroyed  122 of 329 churches (counting total losses only)  Some 12,000 bodies were recovered

Burning of Moscow

Retreat from Russia By December 14 th, 1812, the French are forced out of Russian territory Only 22,000 of Napoleon’s men returned to France

Battle of Nations Many nations realize that Napoleon is vulnerable after his Russian campaign England, Russia, Spain, Portugal, Prussia, Austria and Sweden create a coalition to finish Napoleon once and for all Napoleon tries to retake parts of Germany October 16 th -19 th 1813

Battle of Nations Napoleon and the coalition clash at Leipzig Napoleon is defeated and retreats back to France with only 100,000 men Paris was occupied by foreign forces March 31 st 1814 and Napoleon abdicates April 6 th

Exile and Return Napoleon is exiled to the island of Elba Louis XVIII take over (brother of Louis XVI, lost his head) France has now come full circle

Louis XVIII

Exile on Elba

Escape and Return Napoleon escapes Elba February 26 th, 1815 and returns to France Louis XVIII sends troops to intercept Napoleon Napoleon wins them over and Louis XVIII’s troops join Napoleon Napoleon governs for a “100 Days”

Waterloo Napoleon has one final chance to defeat his enemies The coalition and French forces meet at Waterloo (present-day Belgium) June 18 th 1815 Napoleon loses this final battle

Waterloo

Final Exile Napoleon tries to escape to the United States but is captured off the western coast of France Napoleon is sent into exile at Saint Helena He will die here in 1821

St. Helena

Napoleon’s Tomb Napoleon’s body was returned to France in 1840