What Happened During the Hundred Days of Napoleon?

TL;DR

During the Hundred Days, Napoleon escaped from exile and regained control of France, only to be defeated at the Battle of Waterloo by the Seventh Coalition. His defeat led to his second exile to the remote island of Saint Helena, where he would spend the rest of his life until his death in 1821.

Transcript

So let's review how we got to where we are right now. In 1789 you have the Revolution in France. This makes the French very proud, a lot of nationalistic pride. It also makes the rest of Europe a little worried. They're all monarchies, they don't like this idea of overthrowing your kings. And so during this revolutionary period you have a series of... Read More

Key Insights

• 😮 Napoleon rose to power during the French Revolutionary Wars and became the emperor of France in 1804.
• 🎖️ He attempted to expand the French Empire through military campaigns and conquests.
• 🥺 The invasion of Russia in 1812 and the subsequent defeat at the Battle of Waterloo led to Napoleon's downfall.

Questions & Answers

Q: How did Napoleon rise to power in France?

Napoleon rose to power in France through a coup d'état in 1799 and eventually became emperor in 1804. He was seen as a hero due to his military success during the French Revolutionary Wars.

Q: What led to Napoleon's downfall?

Napoleon's downfall can be attributed to several factors. The invasion of Russia in 1812 was a major defeat for him and weakened his forces. The European powers formed a coalition against him, leading to his defeat at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815.

Q: Why did Napoleon escape from exile in Elba?

Napoleon escaped from exile in Elba because he caught wind of unrest in France, the shrinking of the French Empire, and potential threats to his life. He saw an opportunity to retake control and regain his power.

Q: How did Napoleon's rule end?

Napoleon's rule ended with his defeat at the Battle of Waterloo and his subsequent surrender to the British. He was exiled to the remote island of St. Helena, where he lived in unpleasant conditions and died of stomach cancer in 1821.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Napoleon rose to power during the French Revolutionary Wars and became emperor in 1804.

• He attempted to expand the French Empire, but suffered a major defeat when he invaded Russia.

• After a brief return to power, Napoleon was defeated at the Battle of Waterloo and was exiled to the remote island of St. Helena, where he died in 1821.