The Hundred Days Flashcards
What did Napoleon accuse Austria of?
preventing Marie-Louise and his son from coming to join him
What did the French Government refuse?
to pay Napoleon’s allowance, so that he was in danger of being reduced to poverty.
What happened on March 1st?
As he crossed the Alps, the republican peasants rallied round him, and near Grenoble he won over the soldiers dispatched to arrest him
When was he in Paris by?
On March 20 he was in Paris.
What happened with the 5th Regiment?
Sent to intercept him and made contact just south of Grenoble on 7 March 1815 - dismounted his horse and, when he was within gunshot range, shouted to the soldiers, “Here I am. Kill your Emperor, if you wish”.
What did soldiers respond with?
“Vive L’Empereur!”
What happened to Louis XVIII?
fled to Belgium after realizing he had little political support.
What did the British do?
13 March, the powers at the Congress of Vienna declared Napoleon an outlaw. Four days later, Great Britain, Russia, Austria, and Prussia each pledged to put 150,000 men into the field to end his rule
How long did Napoleon govern for?
a period now called the Hundred Days
How many armed forces did he have available to him?
reached 200,000,
What did Napoleon decide to do with these forces?
offensive to attempt to drive a wedge between the oncoming British and Prussian armies.
What was the attack on Hougoumont farm?
began at 11:30 AM and was led by Bauduin’s brigade and the farm was defended by 4 light groups of Nassau troops and Hanoverian Jager troops.
What was the attack repelled by?
artillery fire which forced Napoleon to send in more light infantry
When did French take the farmhouse?
after the KGL (Kings German Legion) retreated as they ran out of ammunition
When was the Battle of Waterloo?
18th June 1815
Who led the British forces?
British Duke of Wellington
What delayed the battle?
a night of rain, the ground sodden and deep in mud. This could help stall any French attack. It could give the Prussians time to arrive to help Wellington
What did the rain slow Napoleon in doing?
takes Napoleon much longer than expected to get his cannons into position
What does Napoleon do in the meantime of the canons?
holds a grand parade of his army to intimidate the British/Allied army opposite
What did the British do at 2pm?
British throw back the French attack with a fearsome cavalry charge. They sweep up over the ridge unexpectedly and before the French can form square the attacking troops are cut down and sent fleeing.
By 2;30, how were British troops looking?
Wellington is left with very little cavalry to rely upon - The horses are exhausted
When did the Prussian army come?
3:30 - If they get to the battle on time they will be able to attack Napoleon from the side and rear.
How does Napoleon respond to the sight of the Prussians?
Napoleon peels off troops to face the threat.
What do the Prussians do?
6pm: The Prussian army arrives and attacks the French right flank.
When does the French army flee?
8pm: The British Guards stand firm in the centre and fire point blank volleys into the attacking French. The French army crumbles under combined attack from the British and Prussians. Napoleon, retreats from the battlefield and his army flees.
What did Napoleon realise on his return to France?
both the legislature and the people had turned against him - he abdicated on 22 June in favour of his son.
What did Napoleon realise on his return to France?
both the legislature and the people had turned against him - he abdicated on 22 June in favour of his son.
What did coalition forces intend?
restoring Louis XVIII to the French throne
Why did Napoleon flee to Rochefort?
Napoleon heard that Prussian troops had orders to capture him dead or alive
What were British ships doing?
blocking every port
When did Napoleon surrender?
to Captain Frederick Maitland on HMS Bellerophon on 15 July 1815.
Where was Napoleon kept?
on the island of Saint Helena in the Atlantic Ocean
Did Napoleon attempt to escape?
No
When did Napoleon die?
He died on 5 May 1821, after confession
What were his last words?
“France, the army, head of the army, Joséphine”
