Hundred Days
The Hundred Days refers to the period between March 20, 1815, and July 8, 1815, when Napoleon Bonaparte returned from exile on the island of Elba and resumed control over the French Empire, only to be defeated at the Battle of Waterloo and exiled again.
Historical Context
- Exile and Return: After his defeat at the Battle of Leipzig in 1813, Napoleon was forced to abdicate in April 1814. He was exiled to Elba, a small island off the coast of Italy. However, on February 26, 1815, he escaped Elba with around 1,000 followers and landed at Golfe-Juan on the French mainland on March 1.
- March on Paris: Napoleon's return was marked by a series of events where he regained the loyalty of his troops, often through dramatic confrontations like the one at Grenoble. By March 20, he had reached Paris, where King Louis XVIII fled without a fight, allowing Napoleon to resume his position as Emperor.
Napoleon's Governance
During the Hundred Days, Napoleon focused on:
- Reform and Military Preparation: He attempted to reform his administration, enact liberal reforms, and reorganize the military to prepare for the inevitable confrontation with the Seventh Coalition forces.
- Public Support: Napoleon tried to bolster his image by promoting reforms that appealed to the French people, including the Charter of 1815, which promised constitutional liberties.
The Waterloo Campaign
The climax of the Hundred Days was the Battle of Waterloo:
Aftermath
Following the defeat at Waterloo:
- Napoleon's Abdication: Napoleon abdicated for the second time on June 22, 1815, and attempted to flee to the United States but was captured by the British.
- Exile to Saint Helena: He was exiled to the remote island of Saint Helena in the South Atlantic, where he died in 1821.
Legacy: The Hundred Days has been studied extensively for its military strategy, Napoleon's leadership, and the political implications of his return. It marks the end of the Napoleonic Wars and the beginning of a new era in European history.
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