Napoleon Ier was the first Emperor of the French (1804-1815). His empire extended, at its height, over most of continental Europe. Its conquests are realized thanks to numerous military victories. But three great defeats of Napoleon sound the end of the First Empire…
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If Napoleon Bonaparte is known for big wins like Austerlitz in 1805, Jena in 1806 or Wagram in 1809, three defeats will also mark the history of France.
The Battle of Trafalgar in 1805 against England
Napoleon Ier wants to invade the British Isles to finish off his main enemy. For this, the French and Spanish fleets regroup in the West Indies before leading a battle against the English ships at Cape Trafalgar, south of theSpain. On October 21, 1805, the two naval armies faced each other. The English boats are inferior in number. Vice-Admiral Nelson decides to perforate the Franco-Spanish line by launching two columns of ships at right angles. The success is total. Two thirds of the Imperial fleet are destroyed. After this defeat at Trafalgar, Napoleon Ier definitively renounces the invasion of England. France loses all its colonies in Africa and America.
The defeat of Napoleon during the Russian campaign in 1812
In 1812, the Napoleonic Empire dominated continental Europe. Napoleon Ier then decides to march on Russia in June. Nearly 700,000 soldiers, who constitute the largest army ever deployed, are mobilized for the Russian campaign, against 500,000 Russian soldiers. On September 14, Napoleon entered Moscow. But Tsar Alexander Ier refuses to capitulate. The Russians burn the town, leaving the soldiers unprotected to cross thewinter. On October 18, Napoleon then ordered a retreat from Russia. General Mikhail Kutuzov took advantage of this departure to attack the Grande Armée from all sides. On December 14, all of Napoleon’s soldiers left Russian territory. In total, between the battles, the cold and the diseases, 200,000 soldiers of the Grande Armée died during the Russian campaign.
The failure of Waterloo in 1815 against England and Prussia
On June 18, 1815, the Army of the North led by Napoleon confronted the armies of the allies (British, Dutch, German) and the army of the Prussians at Waterloo, near Brussels. The Napoleonic army is superior in number: 71,000 soldiers against 68,000. But the power of fire tilts in favor of the allies and the Prussians. 7,000 French soldiers lose their lives during this day. At 10 p.m. the leaders of the two armies, the Duke of Wellington and von Blücher, met. Napoleon barely managed to escape. Back in Paris, he abdicated a second time on June 22, 1815, marking the disappearance of the Napoleonic Empire.
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