“One Hundred Days” is the period between the return of Napoleon I on March 1, 1815, and his fall on July 7, 1815. The conclusion of the Paris Peace meant that Napoleon would no longer be able to participate in the political life of Europe. Napoleon Bonaparte was invited to choose his place of exile between the islands of Corfu, Corsica, and the Elbe. Napoleon chose the Elbe that was not far from his native Corsica. On May 3, 1814, on an English ship, Napoleon arrived on the island, on 14 May, Cambronne and other French generals joined him with a part of the old guard, who wished to go with their Emperor.
Return of Napoleon
Napoleon received news from France, and he was dissatisfied with the restoration of the Bourbon monarchy, and from Vienna, where the Vienna Congress was held, at which the leading powers of Europe negotiated the future world order. The domestic policy of Louis XVIII was reactionary. The elite of the Empire was pushed to a secondary role. On the other hand, the peasantry still well remembered the pre-revolutionary order and was afraid of losing their lands. There was no longer the unity of allies that existed during the Sixth Coalition. England and Austria strongly opposed the strengthening of Russia in Europe, there were different opinions on the fate of Poland and Saxony. All these factors, both in domestic and foreign policy, gave Napoleon grounds to believe that France was ready for his return.
The Road of Napoleon
On the night of February 25, 1815, the ship with Napoleon aboard, accompanied by six more ships sailed from the island. The island of Elba was patrolled by French and British ships. One of them noticed the flotilla coming from the Elbe and even had a few words with the captain of the ship with Napoleon abroad, but he did not find anything suspicious.
Thus, Napoleon and his small army reached the coast of France on March 1, 1815. Guards on the shore welcomed the Emperor. Replenishing his supplies in Cannes, Napoleon decided to go north through the Dauphiné province. On March 7, 1815, he went to Grenoble, the capital of the province. Unlike many of the cities that he past true, the Grenoble gate was closed for Napoleon. He was well aware of the importance of propaganda. Immediately upon landing, he issued a manifesto to the French. Subsequently, appeals were issued to the inhabitants of Gap, Grenoble, and Lyon. All this had a strong influence on the people, who believed in the return of the Emperor. Near Grenoble, a regiment of hussars and infantry regiment with artillery met with Napoleon and sworn their aligns to him. Napoleon took Grenoble without a fight.
After the fall of Lyon, Napoleon at his disposal had already 15,000 soldiers. This army moved to Paris. In the town of Lons-le-Saunier Napoleon’s army was awaited by the army of Marshal Ney who was one of those who joined the Bourbons after the abdication of the Emperor. He promised to bring Napoleon to Paris in an iron cage and prevent a civil war. Panic reigned in the leadership of the government troops. Napoleon left Lyon and took Macon, whose people gladly welcomed the Emperor. Among the government troops, Napoleon’s agents were already acting, agitating them to go over to his side. Napoleon’s envoys persuaded Ney, that not all foreign powers supported the Bourbons, that the British specifically took the ships from Elba, letting Napoleon escape. All this was a lie, but Ney was impressed. As a result, Ney issued a proclamation urging the soldiers to go over to the side of the Emperor. On March 19, the French king and his family fled from Paris to Belgium. On March 20, 1815, twenty days after Napoleon’s landing on the French coast, Bonaparte entered Paris without a single shot fired and became again the Emperor of France.
Domestic policy
Napoleon sought to rely on conservative Republicans. On April 23 he established a two-chamber parliament consisting of 300 elected deputies and an upper parliament chamber which was appointed by the Emperor and was hereditary. For the law to be adopted, he had to pass the discussion in both chambers and receive the approval of the Emperor. On May 25, the new constitution was approved on a plebiscite. On June 1, the newly elected parliament chamber was opened. On March 20, 1815, the new government began to work.
Foreign policy
All European countries except the Naples took up arms against Napoleon. Napoleon understood that France needed peace. He appealed to the heads of European powers with a proposal for peace and promised that France would not cross its borders. However, this did not help. Napoleon decided to strike ahead in Belgium.
The Belgian campaign lasted from June 15 to July 8, 1815. The French Army was opposed by two armies of the Seventh Coalition, English, and Prussian. Napoleon commanded the troops before the Battle of Waterloo. Â The Battle of Waterloo is the final battle that broke Napoleon’s power after that defeat he never rose again. At the head of the British army was the Duke of Wellington.
The end of a hundred days
Although the French army won a number of tactical victories after the Battle of Waterloo, this did not change the strategic position of France. Napoleon understood this perfectly, as well as the fact that the country was already exhausted and could no longer fight.
On June 22, 1815, Napoleon abdicated in favor of his son. Everyone understood that Burbons would come to power and they were hated by many. On June 28, Napoleon left Malmaison for Rochefort with the intention of leaving for America. On July 8, he went on two frigates to the sea, but he could not pass an English squadron that blocked France from the sea. French sailors offered him to engage in a suicidal battle with the British. But Napoleon had already decided his fate. On July 15, 1815, he surrendered to the British who sent him to the island of St. Helena (where he was poisoned). This is the end of the great Emperor Napoleon who shook Europe and changed it forever.
Sources:
Dictionnaire Napoléon / Jean Tulard.