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The Fall of Napoleon
- a. Napoleon in 1812 decided to invade Russiaà downfall, but Russia’s defection from the Continental System didn’t give him much of a choice
- i. Aware of risks in invading it, but knew if Russians were allowed to challenge the Continental System unopposed, others would do the same
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June 1812
- 1. June 1812: Napoleon’s Grand Army of 600,000 men entered Russia
- a. Hope for victory depended on quick meet and defeat of Russian armies
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Not possible because
- i. Not possible as Russian forces refused to give battle and retreated hundreds of miles while torching their own land to prevent Napoleon’s army from finding food and forage
- ii. Heat and disease too
- iii. Vast space of Russian territory led troops to desert
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Russia vs. Napoleon
- a. When Russians fought at Borodino, Napoleon’s forces won
- i. 45000 Russians defeated; 30,000 French died with no replacements
- 1. When remaining troops arrived in Moscow, the city was ablaze
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Great Retreat
- a. Lacking food and suppliesà Napoleon abandoned and made “Great Retreat” across Russia in terrible winter conditions
- i. Only 40,000 troops made it back to Polandà war of liberation all over Europeà> Napoleon defeated in April 1814
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Defeated Emperor
- a. Defeated emperor
- i. Played ruler on island of Elba, while Bourbon monarchy restored to France through Louis XVIII, brother of the executed king
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Little Support
a. Louis XVIII had little supportà Napoleon’s backà troops sent to capture him, but went over to his sideà Napoleon entered Paris in triumph in March 20, 1815
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Enemy and Disturber of hte Tranquility of hte World
- a. Powers that defeated him pledged once more to fight this person they called the “Enemy and Disturber of the Tranquility of the World”
- Having decided to strike first at his enemies, Napoleon raised another army and moved to attack the nearest allied forces stationed in Belgium
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Waterloo
- 1. Waterloo on June 18à Napoleon met a combined British and Prussian army under duke of Wellington and was defeated
- a. This time, he was exiled to Saint Helena
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