The Fall of Napoleon
History: KS3, topic 13.2.5
The Fall of Napoleon
After a disastrous invasion of Russia in 1812 AD, the countries of Europe worked together to reduce Napoleon's power and ultimately defeat him. Their efforts ended with the Battle of Waterloo in 1815 AD.
Invasion of Russia 1812 AD
- A French invasion of Russia in 1812 AD marked the beginning of the end for Napoleon.
- Although the French defeated the Russian army, they were unprepared for the harsh and inhospitable conditions they faced in Russia.
Conditions in Russia
- The Russian winter brought freezing weather, disease and starvation.
- Napoleon’s army had numbered around 600,000 men - only around 150,000 returned to France alive.
Exile
- Following this disastrous invasion, the countries of Europe rose up against Napoleon in an attempt to topple him from power.
- Napoleon was exiled to Elba, a Mediterranean island, though he managed to escape and returned to France to raise an army.
The Battle of Waterloo
- Napoleon’s army clashed with a British and Dutch army at the Battle of Waterloo in Belgium in 1815 AD.
- The British and Dutch army was led by the Duke of Wellington and was supported also by the Prussian army.
Defeat
- The battle lasted all day, but finally Napoleon was defeated.
- He turned himself over to the British and they exiled him to St Helena, an island in the middle of the South Atlantic Ocean.