1. Napoleon’s Downfall Worksheet Answers

2. What were Napoleon’s 3 costly mistakes?
3 mistakes were
Setting up a blockade with Great Britain - prevented trade and communication.
Peninsular War - Invaded Spain to try to enforce his continental system.
Invaded Russia - because they were still trading with Great Britain.

3. British Blockade
Napoleon cut off Britain. Called the Continental System to make Europe stronger and not depend on Britain also to hurt Britain’s economy.
Blockade was easy to get around and everyone violated the policy.
Britain responded with it’s own blockade. It was more successful because they had a stronger navy.

4. Peninsular War
He invades Spain and puts his brother on the throne because they were not following the blockade. Made Spanish mad because they were afraid he would weaken the church.
Spanish guerrilla fighters struck at the French. Napoleon lost 300,000 men.

5. Invasion of Russia
Still trading grain with Britain and both wanted Poland.
June ,000 Grand Army troops entered Russia. Russians retreat burning/killing everything. Nothing left for French troops (scorched-earth policy).
Napoleon reaches Moscow but city destroyed. French retreat and are ambushed by Russian army. Only 10,000 troops left.

6. Europe’s Response
Britain, Russia, Prussia, Sweden and Austria all combine forces against France.
This is a good time to strike because his army is weak after being defeated by the Russians.
Sick of Napoleon pushing them around and don’t want him to gain any more power.

7. Napoleon in April of 1814
Allied forces were successfully pushing towards Paris. Napoleon’s generals abandon him. In April 1814 he surrenders. He is given a little money and is exiled to Elba.
Hope that France will not be as powerful without Napoleon.

8. Hundred Days
French people were unhappy with new king. March of 1815, Napoleon escapes Elba and returns to rule France again.
European forces mad! Battle of Waterloo in Belgium. British and Prussian forces defeated the French.
Napoleon sent to St. Helena and lived on that island for 6 years dying of natural causes (cancer?).

9. What do you think was the ultimate cause of Napoleon’s downfall?

10. Would you say that Napoleon supported a monarchy or a democracy in France?

11. What were Napoleon’s goals as a dictator of France?

12. Why did the French people accept him as a dictator?

13. Why do you think Napoleon left Elba to try to regain power
Why do you think Napoleon left Elba to try to regain power? Was this a good or a bad decision?