HOW NAPOLEON LOST HIS GRASP ON EUROPE
Napoleon’s worst defeat came when he tried to invade Russia in 1812. With more than 400,000 soldiers at his command, Napoleon succeeded in taking Moscow, but the victory was short-lived. Much of the city was destroyed, and with supplies running short, Napoleon was forced to retreat, losing many men to the harsh winter, malnourishment, disease and
Russian attacks.
By 1813 Napoleon remained on the defensive, with troops from Russia, Great Britain, Spain, Austria and Prussia gradually pushing his army back towards France. In 1814 forces from those countries invaded France, reaching Paris in April. They forced Napoleon to abdicate, sending him into exile on the island of Elba in the Mediterranean. Napoleon came back to France in 1815 and regained power, but he ruled for only 100 days or so before he was defeated at the Battle of Waterloo.