What were the 2 major reasons Napoleon's grand empire collapsed?

Answer 1

Because he was heavily defeated at the Battle of Waterloo near Brussels in 1815 by the combined British and Prussian armies and sent into exile for a second time. This time he was sent to St Helena in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean away from all his family.

While the Battle of Waterloo was what finally made Napoleon lose power, there were several other reasons leading up to it, most notably:

• A disastrous campaign in Russia, in which Napoleon lost half a million men and 200,000 horses.
• Napoleon's poor choice of king in Spain, his brother Joseph. While Joseph was a well meaning ruler, he was not a competent man for the job, and could not deal with the difficulties and immense pressures of ruling the riotous Spanish people. As a result of this, the British managed a successful campaign through Spain and up to southern France.
• When Napoleon made himself emperor, many of his previous supporters began to lose faith in, as the new position made Napoleon more comparable to the Bourbon Dynasty who had ruled France in the past. A dynasty the revolution had striven so hard to get rid of.

Answer 2

Disastrous war with Russia, this war started the new war tactic of small strikes against Napoleon army and disappearing rather that conventional battle and Napoleon started this war in the spring instead of conventional wisdom of going to war in the fall...thus slowing the march to Russia because of the tremendous amount of support required for an army of 400,000. If started in fall the army could have used the harvest season to support the troops along the way.

All countries were afraid of Napoleon's return from Elba and agreed to the 7th coalition of nations to fight Napolean.

Answer 3

1. The Army that he was leading at Waterloo was poorly trained because it had been put together after his escape from Elba during the 100 days.
2. His previous troop losses in Russia had left him without a cadre of NCO's needed for leadership and training.
3. He had never accepted the rifle as the standard Infantry weapon because of the slower rate of fire compared to the musket. Rifles had a greater range and improved accuracy and Wellington had several units that used that technology.
4. Wellington lacked Napoleon's battlefield brilliance but he had well trained troops who consistently exhibited steadfast attitudes to stand and fight for King and Country.
5. Timing again played a role. Two or three hours earlier to begin the battle might have been all he needed to finish off the UK before the Prussians arrived at the battlefield.

Answer 4

the survival of Great Britain and the force of nationalism

Answer 5

His defeat in Russia, caused primarily by the weather and his military defeat at Waterloo.

Answer 6

Numerous causes can be named, but the final one was the Battle of Waterloo.