Hundred Days

The Hundred Days refers to a brief but intense period in French history. It began when Napoleon Bonaparte returned from exile on the island of Elba. He arrived in Paris on 20 March 1815. This era lasted for exactly 110 days. It ended on 8 July 1815 when King Louis XVIII was restored to the throne.

This period triggered the War of the Seventh Coalition. This war included the famous Waterloo campaign and the Neapolitan War. The term "Hundred Days" was first used by Gaspard, the count of Chabrol. He was the prefect of Paris who welcomed the king back in July.

Napoleon's return was a major disruption to the political order of Europe. Before his return, the Congress of Vienna was meeting to redraw the map of the continent. This gathering included many leaders with conflicting goals. For instance, Tsar Alexander I of Russia wanted to create a Polish puppet state. Prussia demanded the Kingdom of Saxony. Austria wanted to regain control of northern Italy. These disagreements almost caused the Great Powers to fight one another.

The tension was high as leaders struggled to balance their own interests.

Napoleon escaped his confinement on Elba through a very daring move. On 26 February 1815, he used a tiny fleet to slip away. His fleet included the brig Inconstant and several small transports. He landed at Golfe-Juan on 1 March 1815.

As he marched through France, his numbers grew rapidly. He traveled along the Route Napoléon through the Alps. He did not have to fire many shots to gain followers. Many soldiers and entire regiments joined his cause. Even Marshal Ney, a former commander for the King, joined Napoleon in March.

While Napoleon was marching, the Great Powers reacted with great force. On 13 March, the Congress of Vienna declared Napoleon an outlaw. This meant he was no longer recognized as a legal leader. On 25 March, four Great Powers made a massive commitment. Austria, Prussia, Russia, and the United Kingdom pledged to act. Each of these four nations promised to put 150,000 men into the field. They aimed to end Napoleon's rule once and for all.

Napoleon attempted to change how France was governed during this time. He wanted to move toward a more stable system. In Lyon, he issued an edict to change the constitution. He worked with a man named Benjamin Constant to write this new plan. This document was called "La Benjamine." It created a hereditary Chamber of Peers and an elected Chamber of Representatives. The plan also guaranteed freedom of the press. It was put to a vote through a plebiscite. Although fewer people voted than in previous years, a large majority supported it.

Napoleon's physical health may have played a role in his final defeat. During his time on Elba, some observers noted he seemed older and less active. He also suffered from medical issues like hemorrhoids. This condition made sitting on a horse very painful. At the Battle of Waterloo, this was a serious problem. It made it difficult for him to sit on his horse for long periods. Because of this, he could not easily survey his troops. This may have interfered with his ability to lead effectively during the combat.

The period ended with a decisive military defeat. The War of the Seventh Coalition led to the Battle of Waterloo. Napoleon was defeated, which led to the second restoration of the French kingdom. He was not allowed to return to France again. Instead, he was sent to the distant island of Saint Helena. He remained there until he died in 1821.

His final exile was much more permanent than his time on Elba. The Hundred Days remains a vital chapter in understanding modern European history.