WEBVTT 00:00:00.220 --> 00:00:02.430 - [Narrator] This video was made possible by Honey. 00:00:02.430 --> 00:00:04.660 Install now for free using the link below 00:00:04.660 --> 00:00:07.618 and start saving money when you shop online. 00:00:07.618 --> 00:00:10.580 (dramatic thud) 00:00:10.580 --> 00:00:12.910 After the third and fourth Coalition wars, 00:00:12.910 --> 00:00:15.410 Napoleon had decisively defeated all three 00:00:15.410 --> 00:00:17.530 of his main rivals on the continent, 00:00:17.530 --> 00:00:21.089 and he was now undoubtedly the master of Europe. 00:00:21.089 --> 00:00:23.920 After the Battle of Friedland, his enemy sued for peace 00:00:23.920 --> 00:00:27.110 and they all met on a raft on a river for negotiations. 00:00:27.109 --> 00:00:29.469 They had been fighting for the past four years, 00:00:29.469 --> 00:00:32.109 but now, Napoleon and Alexander surprisingly got 00:00:32.109 --> 00:00:33.909 along like a house on fire. 00:00:33.909 --> 00:00:34.929 They laughed together. 00:00:34.929 --> 00:00:36.839 They chatted long into the night. 00:00:36.840 --> 00:00:37.673 They kissed. 00:00:37.673 --> 00:00:39.679 The two had a lot of mutual respect, 00:00:39.679 --> 00:00:41.320 and Napoleon even told his wife 00:00:41.320 --> 00:00:42.869 that "if Alexander were a woman, 00:00:42.869 --> 00:00:44.452 I would make him my mistress." 00:00:44.453 --> 00:00:45.690 (air whooshes) 00:00:45.689 --> 00:00:47.599 Kind of a weird thing to say to your wife, Napoleon. 00:00:47.600 --> 00:00:49.960 In the end, they came to an amicable agreement. 00:00:49.960 --> 00:00:51.780 Russia would lose barely any land. 00:00:51.780 --> 00:00:53.329 And in return, they'd joined France 00:00:53.329 --> 00:00:55.469 against the UK and invade Sweden. 00:00:55.469 --> 00:00:56.302 Win-win. 00:00:56.302 --> 00:00:59.209 On the other hand, Frederick William III was sidelined 00:00:59.210 --> 00:01:01.060 and Prussia lost an enormous amount 00:01:01.060 --> 00:01:03.410 of territory to French client states. 00:01:03.409 --> 00:01:06.619 Only the UK remained as the last major threat to Napoleon. 00:01:06.620 --> 00:01:09.270 And they continued to be a big thorn in his side, 00:01:09.269 --> 00:01:10.719 constantly funding his enemies 00:01:10.719 --> 00:01:12.650 and using their powerful navy to wreak havoc 00:01:12.650 --> 00:01:15.080 on French trade and overseas colonies. 00:01:15.079 --> 00:01:16.670 But what could Napoleon do? 00:01:16.670 --> 00:01:19.109 The British were safe across the channel. 00:01:19.109 --> 00:01:21.629 Well, he said, "If I can't fight you with guns, 00:01:21.629 --> 00:01:23.649 I'll fight you with money." 00:01:23.650 --> 00:01:24.900 Earlier in 1806, 00:01:24.900 --> 00:01:27.460 Napoleon had announced the Continental System, 00:01:27.459 --> 00:01:30.689 a total shut off of the UK from continental trade. 00:01:30.689 --> 00:01:33.109 No one in Europe was to trade with Britain, 00:01:33.109 --> 00:01:35.140 and Napoleon hoped that by hitting their economy 00:01:35.140 --> 00:01:36.849 he could force them to negotiate. 00:01:36.849 --> 00:01:38.640 The British economy did take a hit, 00:01:38.640 --> 00:01:40.709 and they responded in their typical fashion 00:01:40.709 --> 00:01:43.489 by going to Copenhagen and blowing a bunch of stuff up. 00:01:43.489 --> 00:01:45.849 But in general, the British managed to stay afloat 00:01:45.849 --> 00:01:47.259 by simply increasing their trade 00:01:47.260 --> 00:01:48.730 with other parts of the world. 00:01:48.730 --> 00:01:50.609 Many neutral countries found themselves stuck 00:01:50.609 --> 00:01:52.099 between a rock and a hard place 00:01:52.099 --> 00:01:54.199 as the two European superpowers demanded 00:01:54.200 --> 00:01:56.090 they ceased trade with the enemy. 00:01:56.090 --> 00:01:58.048 Hey America, you better not trade with the French 00:01:58.048 --> 00:01:59.820 or else I'll come burn down the White House. 00:01:59.819 --> 00:02:02.179 What? 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Why not? 00:03:41.400 --> 00:03:43.270 Well, it appears, they've been trying to find a way out 00:03:43.270 --> 00:03:45.900 of being your ally since they lost their fleet at Trafalgar. 00:03:45.900 --> 00:03:47.430 What is with these people? 00:03:47.430 --> 00:03:49.950 It's almost like everyone's only pretending to be my ally 00:03:49.949 --> 00:03:52.109 because they know otherwise I'd beat them up. 00:03:52.110 --> 00:03:54.190 Do I even have any real friends? 00:03:54.189 --> 00:03:55.550 Are you my friend, Pierre? 00:03:55.550 --> 00:03:56.719 Say yes or I'll slap you. 00:03:56.719 --> 00:03:59.310 Napoleon had come to mistrust his ally to the south. 00:03:59.310 --> 00:04:00.240 And in particular, 00:04:00.240 --> 00:04:02.280 Napoleon thought the Spanish royal family 00:04:02.280 --> 00:04:03.860 were an incompetent mess. 00:04:03.860 --> 00:04:06.530 All right, Carlos, you've got to get it together. 00:04:06.530 --> 00:04:08.810 How can I trust you when all you do is go hunting? 00:04:08.810 --> 00:04:10.770 Meanwhile, you let this ambitious nobody 00:04:10.770 --> 00:04:12.540 who dislikes me run the country. 00:04:12.539 --> 00:04:13.729 And you seem to be the only person 00:04:13.729 --> 00:04:16.909 in the universe who doesn't realize he's boinking your wife. 00:04:16.910 --> 00:04:18.430 And what's worse... 00:04:18.430 --> 00:04:19.550 Who the heck are you? 00:04:19.550 --> 00:04:20.569 I'm the king's son. 00:04:20.569 --> 00:04:21.740 I just overthrew my dad, 00:04:21.740 --> 00:04:23.763 so, actually, now I'm the king. 00:04:25.060 --> 00:04:27.269 You people are the biggest cluster 00:04:27.269 --> 00:04:29.479 of shameless, narcissistic idiots 00:04:29.480 --> 00:04:32.780 and all around just the worst people I've ever met. 00:04:32.779 --> 00:04:33.849 Here, have a Kids' Choice Award. 00:04:33.850 --> 00:04:36.290 French forces, many having conveniently already 00:04:36.290 --> 00:04:37.970 entered Spain to invade Portugal, 00:04:37.970 --> 00:04:39.550 occupied Spanish forts 00:04:39.550 --> 00:04:41.210 and Napoleon invited the Spanish royals 00:04:41.209 --> 00:04:43.926 to France to help mediate their differences. 00:04:43.927 --> 00:04:46.450 (audience cheering) 00:04:46.449 --> 00:04:49.810 All right, we're here with the royal family of Spain. 00:04:49.810 --> 00:04:52.379 So, Fernando, you've been accused of plotting 00:04:52.379 --> 00:04:54.713 against your father and vying for the Spanish throne. 00:04:54.713 --> 00:04:55.546 (audience gasps) 00:04:55.545 --> 00:04:56.560 What do you have to say for yourself? 00:04:56.560 --> 00:04:57.393 Well, Napoleon... 00:04:57.392 --> 00:04:58.399 That's great. 00:04:58.399 --> 00:05:00.920 Well, I've got the test results right here. 00:05:00.920 --> 00:05:01.754 - [Audience Member] All right! 00:05:01.754 --> 00:05:04.450 - [Narrator] Fernando, in the case of the Spanish throne, 00:05:04.449 --> 00:05:06.005 you are not the king. 00:05:06.005 --> 00:05:08.129 - Ha ha! (audience laughing) 00:05:08.129 --> 00:05:11.526 - [Narrator] And Carlos, you are also not the king. 00:05:11.526 --> 00:05:14.323 (audience laughing) (air whooshes) 00:05:14.322 --> 00:05:15.457 I'm the king. 00:05:15.458 --> 00:05:18.458 (audience cheering) 00:05:19.699 --> 00:05:21.909 Actually, Napoleon made his brother the king, 00:05:21.910 --> 00:05:25.550 but for all intents and purposes, Spain was now his puppet. 00:05:25.550 --> 00:05:27.780 He expected the Spanish people to be over the moon 00:05:27.779 --> 00:05:30.529 at the removal of their unpopular royal family. 00:05:30.529 --> 00:05:32.599 Imagine his surprise when it turned out 00:05:32.600 --> 00:05:34.670 that people don't really like to be subjugated 00:05:34.670 --> 00:05:36.420 by a foreign power, least of all one 00:05:36.420 --> 00:05:38.980 who had previously attacked the Catholic church. 00:05:38.980 --> 00:05:41.900 And so the people of Spain revolted. 00:05:41.899 --> 00:05:44.009 Brutal fighting broke out as bands 00:05:44.009 --> 00:05:46.199 of armed Spaniards ambushed French troops 00:05:46.199 --> 00:05:49.569 across the kingdom and vicious atrocities were committed 00:05:49.569 --> 00:05:50.709 on both sides. 00:05:50.709 --> 00:05:52.589 In addition to fighting the regular Spanish 00:05:52.589 --> 00:05:53.819 and Portuguese forces, 00:05:53.819 --> 00:05:55.990 the French had to contend with tens of thousands 00:05:55.990 --> 00:05:58.840 of guerrilla fighters throughout the Spanish countryside. 00:05:58.839 --> 00:06:00.739 The British even took the opportunity 00:06:00.740 --> 00:06:03.480 to land an army led by the future Duke of Wellington. 00:06:03.480 --> 00:06:07.170 And now British forces were defeating French ones on land. 00:06:07.170 --> 00:06:09.410 Napoleon briefly went to Spain in person, 00:06:09.410 --> 00:06:11.340 and he did drive back the allied armies, 00:06:11.339 --> 00:06:14.359 but before long, his attention was needed elsewhere. 00:06:14.360 --> 00:06:17.060 The whole thing became a nightmare for the emperor. 00:06:17.060 --> 00:06:18.899 He excelled at traditional warfare, 00:06:18.899 --> 00:06:22.060 but this was something more akin to Napoleon's Vietnam. 00:06:22.060 --> 00:06:24.019 The whole conflict would keep hundreds of thousands 00:06:24.019 --> 00:06:27.049 of French soldiers and resources bogged down for years. 00:06:27.050 --> 00:06:29.259 Napoleon was never able to break the will 00:06:29.259 --> 00:06:30.529 of the Spanish people. 00:06:30.529 --> 00:06:33.938 And this problem weakened his position in Europe. 00:06:33.939 --> 00:06:35.740 (narrator humming) 00:06:35.740 --> 00:06:38.343 Hey, Francis, wanna go to war with Napoleon again? 00:06:38.343 --> 00:06:39.819 Oh, I don't know Britain. 00:06:39.819 --> 00:06:41.800 He's already whomped me three times. 00:06:41.800 --> 00:06:43.520 I'll give you a bazillion pounds. 00:06:43.519 --> 00:06:44.449 Well, okay. 00:06:44.449 --> 00:06:46.839 Seeing that Napoleon was now caught up in Spain, 00:06:46.839 --> 00:06:49.329 and with some British funding, Austria decided maybe, 00:06:49.329 --> 00:06:52.399 just maybe this time they'd have a chance. 00:06:52.399 --> 00:06:53.536 So did they? 00:06:53.536 --> 00:06:54.420 No. 00:06:54.420 --> 00:06:57.110 Napoleon defeated them in just four months. 00:06:57.110 --> 00:06:59.560 It was quick, but it wasn't exactly easy. 00:06:59.560 --> 00:07:01.160 The Austrians had been watching Napoleon 00:07:01.160 --> 00:07:03.340 and learning, and they had made some reforms, 00:07:03.339 --> 00:07:05.239 while Napoleon, after years of war, 00:07:05.240 --> 00:07:06.860 was increasingly having to rely 00:07:06.860 --> 00:07:08.610 on inexperienced conscripts. 00:07:08.610 --> 00:07:11.509 So this time the Austrians gave him a run for his money. 00:07:11.509 --> 00:07:14.060 The Fifth Coalition saw some of the bloodiest battles 00:07:14.060 --> 00:07:16.740 to date, including Napoleon's first major defeat. 00:07:16.740 --> 00:07:18.420 And when he did finally defeat the Austrians 00:07:18.420 --> 00:07:21.620 at the Battle of Wagram, it was a very costly victory. 00:07:21.620 --> 00:07:24.759 Still, Napoleon had yet again kicked Francis' butt, 00:07:24.759 --> 00:07:26.110 and as part of the peace terms, 00:07:26.110 --> 00:07:28.080 Austria lost a bunch more land. 00:07:28.079 --> 00:07:29.349 Not long after, however, 00:07:29.350 --> 00:07:31.860 Napoleon and Francis came to another agreement. 00:07:31.860 --> 00:07:33.400 It was decided that Napoleon 00:07:33.399 --> 00:07:35.469 would marry Francis' young daughter. 00:07:35.470 --> 00:07:38.500 But wait, doesn't Napoleon already have a wife? 00:07:38.500 --> 00:07:40.110 Well, yes, he did. 00:07:40.110 --> 00:07:42.949 Josephine and Napoleon had become quite fond of one another. 00:07:42.949 --> 00:07:45.250 But now that Napoleon was playing the monarch game, 00:07:45.250 --> 00:07:46.569 he needed a male heir 00:07:46.569 --> 00:07:48.620 and his aging wife wasn't giving him one. 00:07:48.620 --> 00:07:51.209 So it was out with the old and in with the new. 00:07:51.209 --> 00:07:52.939 At least he didn't behead anyone. 00:07:52.939 --> 00:07:55.110 For Austria, they felt that if Napoleon was going 00:07:55.110 --> 00:07:55.949 to keep on winning, 00:07:55.949 --> 00:07:57.519 they may as well be on his side. 00:07:57.519 --> 00:07:58.599 So through the marriage, 00:07:58.600 --> 00:08:00.470 Napoleon got an alliance with Austria 00:08:00.470 --> 00:08:02.690 and a beautiful baby potato. 00:08:02.689 --> 00:08:04.740 Between them failing blockade against Britain, 00:08:04.740 --> 00:08:06.220 the ongoing war in Spain, 00:08:06.220 --> 00:08:08.270 and now his recent struggles in Austria, 00:08:08.269 --> 00:08:11.319 cracks in Napoleon's invincibility were beginning to show. 00:08:11.319 --> 00:08:13.540 But still, look at this map. 00:08:13.540 --> 00:08:15.530 So blue, so beautiful. 00:08:15.529 --> 00:08:18.049 Even Sweden, after being pulverized by Russia, 00:08:18.050 --> 00:08:19.170 overthrew their king, 00:08:19.170 --> 00:08:21.000 and after an interesting chain of events, 00:08:21.000 --> 00:08:23.930 ended up putting one of Napoleon's own marshals in charge. 00:08:23.930 --> 00:08:26.480 Marshall Bernadotte took the name Karl Johan 00:08:26.480 --> 00:08:28.310 and became crown prince of Sweden. 00:08:28.310 --> 00:08:30.990 After agreeing to join Napoleon's Continental System, 00:08:30.990 --> 00:08:33.810 for now, Sweden was team France. 00:08:33.809 --> 00:08:35.779 Napoleon was on top of the world. 00:08:35.779 --> 00:08:38.539 He had won an endless string of victories. 00:08:38.539 --> 00:08:40.659 All he had to do now was sit back 00:08:40.659 --> 00:08:42.629 and not make any major miscalculations 00:08:42.629 --> 00:08:44.629 that could completely turn the tide of war. 00:08:44.629 --> 00:08:46.253 So let's see what comes next. 00:08:47.962 --> 00:08:50.019 (dramatic music) (air whooshes) 00:08:50.019 --> 00:08:53.259 France's alliance with Russia was a terrifying prospect. 00:08:53.259 --> 00:08:55.439 Together, the two could've been unstoppable, 00:08:55.440 --> 00:08:58.100 but unfortunately, the alliance didn't last. 00:08:58.100 --> 00:09:00.139 The Russians felt they weren't getting a fair deal. 00:09:00.139 --> 00:09:01.679 Napoleon's Duchy of Warsaw right 00:09:01.679 --> 00:09:03.609 on their doorstep was a bit of an insult. 00:09:03.610 --> 00:09:05.340 And then their economy began to tank 00:09:05.340 --> 00:09:07.430 because of Napoleon's British blockade. 00:09:07.429 --> 00:09:09.729 And eventually, they began to open up trade. 00:09:09.730 --> 00:09:12.180 Your Majesty, it seems Alexander is no longer abiding 00:09:12.179 --> 00:09:13.459 by the Continental System 00:09:13.460 --> 00:09:15.310 and has begun trading with the British. 00:09:15.309 --> 00:09:18.379 Alexander? But he kissed me. 00:09:18.379 --> 00:09:19.659 He kissed you? 00:09:19.659 --> 00:09:21.329 You wouldn't get it, Pierre. 00:09:21.330 --> 00:09:23.038 No one would ever kiss you. 00:09:23.038 --> 00:09:24.320 (narrator bawling) 00:09:24.320 --> 00:09:26.170 The security of Napoleon's empire depended 00:09:26.169 --> 00:09:27.669 on removing the British threat 00:09:27.669 --> 00:09:30.459 and he wasn't happy with Russia's backdoor shenanigans. 00:09:30.460 --> 00:09:33.860 And so in 1812, Napoleon decided to go to war. 00:09:33.860 --> 00:09:35.950 He gathered together the most massive army 00:09:35.950 --> 00:09:38.465 Europe had ever seen, made up of troops from every corner 00:09:38.465 --> 00:09:41.410 of his empire, and he prepared to invade. 00:09:41.409 --> 00:09:43.620 Okay, it looks like Napoleon's coming for us. 00:09:43.620 --> 00:09:45.299 Generals, I need ideas. 00:09:45.299 --> 00:09:46.579 We could stand and fight. 00:09:46.580 --> 00:09:47.710 No that's stupid. 00:09:47.710 --> 00:09:48.590 You're stupid. 00:09:48.590 --> 00:09:49.720 We could run away. 00:09:49.720 --> 00:09:52.570 You, you're a star. 00:09:52.570 --> 00:09:54.410 You remember Napoleon's tactics relied 00:09:54.409 --> 00:09:56.549 on astonishing speed to outmaneuver his enemy 00:09:56.549 --> 00:09:58.699 and force a quick, decisive battle. 00:09:58.700 --> 00:10:00.120 Well, I've got two words for you. 00:10:00.120 --> 00:10:01.509 Scorched earth. 00:10:01.509 --> 00:10:03.789 If his opponent retreated while scorching the earth, 00:10:03.789 --> 00:10:05.349 his men couldn't live off the land. 00:10:05.350 --> 00:10:06.769 And if his men couldn't live off the land, 00:10:06.769 --> 00:10:08.090 he needed his supply trains. 00:10:08.090 --> 00:10:09.350 And if he needed his supply trains, 00:10:09.350 --> 00:10:10.250 he couldn't move quickly. 00:10:10.250 --> 00:10:11.179 And if he couldn't move quickly, 00:10:11.179 --> 00:10:12.319 he couldn't outmaneuver his enemy. 00:10:12.320 --> 00:10:13.740 And if he couldn't outmaneuver his enemy, 00:10:13.740 --> 00:10:15.100 I think you get the point. 00:10:15.100 --> 00:10:17.920 Napoleon launched his invasion and hoped for a quick battle, 00:10:17.919 --> 00:10:20.719 but all he could do was try to catch the retreating Russians 00:10:20.720 --> 00:10:23.500 while moving deeper and deeper into hostile territory. 00:10:23.500 --> 00:10:26.909 As he went, the horribly hot summer devastated his army. 00:10:26.909 --> 00:10:29.909 His men died of heat, exhaustion, and disease. 00:10:29.909 --> 00:10:33.039 Supplies began to run out and his men began to starve. 00:10:33.039 --> 00:10:36.629 Many deserted, and still the Russians continued to retreat. 00:10:36.629 --> 00:10:39.309 Numerous times, Napoleon considered turning back. 00:10:39.309 --> 00:10:41.596 But that little voice in his head kept on telling him, 00:10:41.596 --> 00:10:44.309 "Keep going, just a little further, 00:10:44.309 --> 00:10:45.309 and don't worry. 00:10:45.309 --> 00:10:48.209 You're definitely average height for the time." 00:10:48.210 --> 00:10:50.200 He nearly caught the Russians at Smolensk, 00:10:50.200 --> 00:10:52.740 but it was his birthday so he had a party instead. 00:10:52.740 --> 00:10:54.230 When he finally reached Moscow, 00:10:54.230 --> 00:10:55.759 he predicted the Russians wouldn't be willing 00:10:55.759 --> 00:10:58.919 to give up such a historic and holy city without a fight. 00:10:58.919 --> 00:11:00.459 And he was right. 00:11:00.460 --> 00:11:02.600 The Russians finally turned to face him 00:11:02.600 --> 00:11:06.050 for the single deadliest day of the Napoleonic Wars, 00:11:06.049 --> 00:11:08.089 the Battle of Borodino. 00:11:08.090 --> 00:11:09.740 The Russians fought valiantly. 00:11:09.740 --> 00:11:12.289 And as he got older, Napoleon's battle tactics seemed 00:11:12.289 --> 00:11:13.799 to become a little less refined 00:11:13.799 --> 00:11:16.909 and a little more run straight at the enemy, try not to die. 00:11:16.909 --> 00:11:19.719 He launched a full frontal assault at the Russian defenses. 00:11:19.720 --> 00:11:22.379 And as a result, the death toll was colossal. 00:11:22.379 --> 00:11:24.409 The Russians eventually decided to retreat, 00:11:24.409 --> 00:11:27.069 leaving Moscow to fall into Napoleon's hands. 00:11:27.070 --> 00:11:28.720 Quick, the French are taking the city. 00:11:28.720 --> 00:11:30.470 Release all these prisoners immediately 00:11:30.470 --> 00:11:32.830 and tell them to burn it to the ground. 00:11:32.830 --> 00:11:34.670 Well, well, Jimmy the arsonist, 00:11:34.669 --> 00:11:36.289 you are not gonna believe your luck. 00:11:36.289 --> 00:11:37.819 Moscow went up in flames, 00:11:37.820 --> 00:11:39.000 and as Napoleon entered, 00:11:39.000 --> 00:11:40.919 it became very clear his army wouldn't be able 00:11:40.919 --> 00:11:42.490 to stay there very long. 00:11:42.490 --> 00:11:44.799 But he had just defeated the Russian army 00:11:44.799 --> 00:11:47.129 and taken their most beloved city. 00:11:47.129 --> 00:11:49.330 In his mind, he had won, 00:11:49.330 --> 00:11:52.420 so he sent Tsar Alexander in St. Petersburg a letter. 00:11:52.419 --> 00:11:55.399 Your Imperial Majesty, Napoleon requests your surrender. 00:11:55.399 --> 00:11:56.500 How shall I respond? 00:11:56.500 --> 00:11:58.269 You shan't, Dimitri. 00:11:58.269 --> 00:11:59.102 Ever? 00:11:59.102 --> 00:11:59.935 Ever. 00:11:59.936 --> 00:12:02.240 But your majesty, it will be winter soon. 00:12:02.240 --> 00:12:04.149 The French forces are stuck 500 miles 00:12:04.149 --> 00:12:06.409 into Russian territory with dwindling supplies. 00:12:06.409 --> 00:12:10.242 If we don't say anything, well, then they'll all die. 00:12:10.243 --> 00:12:11.820 Oh! 00:12:11.820 --> 00:12:13.980 After waiting for a response for about a month, 00:12:13.980 --> 00:12:15.820 the first snow of winter began to fall, 00:12:15.820 --> 00:12:17.860 and Napoleon sensed the catastrophe 00:12:17.860 --> 00:12:19.389 that was about to unfold. 00:12:19.389 --> 00:12:22.779 He decided their only choice now was to get out. 00:12:22.779 --> 00:12:24.370 And that's when it happened. 00:12:24.370 --> 00:12:27.340 It got cold, stupid cold. 00:12:27.340 --> 00:12:30.670 His glorious invasion had just become a race for survival. 00:12:30.669 --> 00:12:32.740 As the Russians realized the French were fleeing 00:12:32.740 --> 00:12:34.610 for their lives, they began to close in 00:12:34.610 --> 00:12:35.690 on their supply line. 00:12:35.690 --> 00:12:38.660 Men froze to death, their horses as well. 00:12:38.659 --> 00:12:40.799 There was starvation and disease. 00:12:40.799 --> 00:12:42.609 The injured and dying could only be left 00:12:42.610 --> 00:12:43.740 by the side of the road, 00:12:43.740 --> 00:12:45.680 as it was too slow to try to carry them. 00:12:45.679 --> 00:12:46.799 And all along the way, 00:12:46.799 --> 00:12:48.969 the dreaded Russian Cossacks stalked 00:12:48.970 --> 00:12:50.120 the bleeding French army, 00:12:50.120 --> 00:12:52.950 and every now and then swept in for a quick attack. 00:12:52.950 --> 00:12:54.640 Napoleon, fearing capture, 00:12:54.639 --> 00:12:56.710 kept a vial of poison around his neck. 00:12:56.710 --> 00:12:58.790 At one point, the Russian armies nearly trapped him 00:12:58.789 --> 00:13:00.110 against the Berezina River, 00:13:00.110 --> 00:13:01.909 but a little Napoleon cleverness gave him 00:13:01.909 --> 00:13:03.509 the old Jeffrey juke, tricking them 00:13:03.509 --> 00:13:04.850 into thinking he was going south, 00:13:04.850 --> 00:13:07.540 and then escaping across rapidly-built pontoon bridges 00:13:07.539 --> 00:13:08.372 to the north. 00:13:08.373 --> 00:13:10.009 When the Russians realized where he was 00:13:10.009 --> 00:13:11.230 and began to close in, 00:13:11.230 --> 00:13:14.190 the French burned the bridges before everyone could cross. 00:13:14.190 --> 00:13:17.340 Hundreds drowned and thousands were captured. 00:13:17.340 --> 00:13:19.430 At this point, Napoleon got wind of plots 00:13:19.429 --> 00:13:20.829 against him forming in Paris, 00:13:20.830 --> 00:13:23.490 so he abandoned his men and went back to France. 00:13:23.490 --> 00:13:26.310 The remaining French stragglers made it across the border. 00:13:26.309 --> 00:13:30.069 It's been estimated over 600,000 men went into Russia. 00:13:30.070 --> 00:13:32.910 Less than 100,000 returned. 00:13:32.909 --> 00:13:35.969 Napoleon was now in a very precarious situation. 00:13:35.970 --> 00:13:37.940 His army had just been obliterated, 00:13:37.940 --> 00:13:40.690 and the other European leaders smelled blood. 00:13:40.690 --> 00:13:42.590 Here was an opportunity to take advantage 00:13:42.590 --> 00:13:45.210 of a weakened Napoleon, regain territory and influence, 00:13:45.210 --> 00:13:47.900 and liberate Europe from his dirty French paws. 00:13:47.899 --> 00:13:49.759 And so they began to turn. 00:13:49.759 --> 00:13:52.159 Prussia soon broke their Alliance and switched sides, 00:13:52.159 --> 00:13:54.089 while Austria declared neutrality. 00:13:54.090 --> 00:13:56.990 Even Sweden, led by one of Napoleon's old marshals, 00:13:56.990 --> 00:14:00.120 joined the allies, partly due to Napoleon's earlier invasion 00:14:00.120 --> 00:14:01.659 of Swedish Pomerania. 00:14:01.659 --> 00:14:04.829 The War of the Sixth Coalition had begun. 00:14:04.830 --> 00:14:07.210 The Coalition forces had been reforming their armies 00:14:07.210 --> 00:14:08.769 and they were now much better. 00:14:08.769 --> 00:14:11.069 And the UK had also significantly amped 00:14:11.070 --> 00:14:13.800 up its financial aid to its continental allies. 00:14:13.799 --> 00:14:16.099 Their armies quickly advanced through Poland 00:14:16.100 --> 00:14:17.269 and into Germany. 00:14:17.269 --> 00:14:20.110 In Paris, Napoleon was understandably freaking out. 00:14:20.110 --> 00:14:22.500 He needed to put together a new army fast, 00:14:22.500 --> 00:14:24.960 and he called up over 100,000 new conscripts, 00:14:24.960 --> 00:14:26.280 mostly teenagers. 00:14:26.279 --> 00:14:28.699 He also put his factories into overdrive, 00:14:28.700 --> 00:14:30.690 and he was like, "You, make more rifles! 00:14:30.690 --> 00:14:32.040 You, build new cannons! 00:14:32.039 --> 00:14:33.309 You, make more horses!" 00:14:33.309 --> 00:14:34.419 I don't make horses. 00:14:34.419 --> 00:14:35.349 Then who makes horses? 00:14:35.350 --> 00:14:36.557 Horses make horses. 00:14:36.557 --> 00:14:37.559 Explain how. 00:14:37.559 --> 00:14:39.129 Well, when a daddy horse 00:14:39.129 --> 00:14:41.519 and a mommy horse love each other very much... 00:14:41.519 --> 00:14:42.669 Yes. Go on. 00:14:42.669 --> 00:14:45.059 Well, then the daddy horse... 00:14:45.059 --> 00:14:47.069 I'm sorry, Napoleon, you're 43, 00:14:47.070 --> 00:14:48.250 I thought you'd know this stuff. 00:14:48.250 --> 00:14:49.082 Don't touch me. 00:14:49.082 --> 00:14:49.949 I'm gonna be sick. 00:14:49.950 --> 00:14:51.930 As it turned out, Napoleon's lack of horses 00:14:51.929 --> 00:14:53.639 would take the biggest toll on his army 00:14:53.639 --> 00:14:55.399 since his tactics relied on speed, 00:14:55.399 --> 00:14:57.360 maneuverability, and destruction. 00:14:57.360 --> 00:14:59.649 When he took the fight to the allies in 1813, 00:14:59.649 --> 00:15:01.870 he did defeat them and sent them running, 00:15:01.870 --> 00:15:03.029 but lacking cavalry, 00:15:03.029 --> 00:15:05.870 he was unable to effectively pursue and destroy. 00:15:05.870 --> 00:15:07.460 He needed horses. 00:15:07.460 --> 00:15:09.310 For the allies, being defeated in battle 00:15:09.309 --> 00:15:10.669 by a man whose army was now full 00:15:10.669 --> 00:15:13.149 of an experienced conscripts was concerning, 00:15:13.149 --> 00:15:16.069 so both we're like, "Hold up, time out." 00:15:16.070 --> 00:15:17.600 The allies were somewhat cornered, 00:15:17.600 --> 00:15:19.029 and had Napoleon kept going, 00:15:19.029 --> 00:15:20.539 it's possible he could've won. 00:15:20.539 --> 00:15:22.370 But instead he agreed to a brief truce 00:15:22.370 --> 00:15:25.200 with the Austrians mediating between the two sides. 00:15:25.200 --> 00:15:27.960 When Austria demanded Napoleon make major concessions, 00:15:27.960 --> 00:15:30.110 Napoleon told them to shove it. 00:15:30.110 --> 00:15:31.580 Having had their terms rejected, 00:15:31.580 --> 00:15:33.706 Austria felt now they were justified in saying, 00:15:33.706 --> 00:15:36.539 "Well, we tried." and they joined the Coalition. 00:15:36.539 --> 00:15:38.189 Okay everyone, look at us. 00:15:38.190 --> 00:15:39.700 The boys are back together, 00:15:39.700 --> 00:15:41.770 but Napoleon is still dangerous, 00:15:41.769 --> 00:15:43.159 so we need a plan. 00:15:43.159 --> 00:15:44.449 Any ideas? 00:15:44.450 --> 00:15:46.090 Hmm. 00:15:46.090 --> 00:15:48.280 Oh, I know! Ah, no forget it. 00:15:48.279 --> 00:15:49.112 That's stupid. 00:15:50.169 --> 00:15:52.322 Ah! Ah no, no, no, no. 00:15:54.309 --> 00:15:55.639 I've got it! 00:15:55.639 --> 00:16:00.100 When he approaches, we run away! 00:16:00.100 --> 00:16:01.690 Genius. He's a genius. 00:16:01.690 --> 00:16:03.220 The plan was as follows: 00:16:03.220 --> 00:16:04.779 wherever Napoleon advanced, 00:16:04.779 --> 00:16:07.279 whoever he advanced on would avoid battle, 00:16:07.279 --> 00:16:09.389 allowing the others to sweep in from the sides 00:16:09.389 --> 00:16:12.250 and attack the French marshals guarding his flanks. 00:16:12.250 --> 00:16:15.440 Essentially, the plan was don't try to fight Napoleon. 00:16:15.440 --> 00:16:17.530 And this plan worked tremendously. 00:16:17.529 --> 00:16:19.299 The allies scored a number of victories 00:16:19.299 --> 00:16:22.009 that saw Napoleon move back to the city of Leipzig, 00:16:22.009 --> 00:16:24.549 where he would make one last major stand 00:16:24.549 --> 00:16:27.559 as the allied armies converged in on him from all sides. 00:16:27.559 --> 00:16:30.069 The stage was set for the biggest 00:16:30.070 --> 00:16:33.060 and bloodiest battle of the Napoleonic Wars, 00:16:33.059 --> 00:16:35.379 the Battle of Leipzig. 00:16:35.379 --> 00:16:36.750 Almost half a million troops 00:16:36.750 --> 00:16:39.720 from over a dozen nations stretched across the battlefield. 00:16:39.720 --> 00:16:41.009 The French found themselves fighting 00:16:41.009 --> 00:16:42.970 on all sides for four days 00:16:42.970 --> 00:16:46.350 against the Austrians, Prussians, Swedes, and Russians. 00:16:46.350 --> 00:16:48.639 It's no wonder this battle is also sometimes referred 00:16:48.639 --> 00:16:50.919 to as the Battle of the Nations. 00:16:50.919 --> 00:16:52.649 The French fought ferociously, 00:16:52.649 --> 00:16:55.139 but ultimately, were no match for the coordinated efforts 00:16:55.139 --> 00:16:56.269 of the Coalition. 00:16:56.269 --> 00:16:57.960 At one point in the midst of battle, 00:16:57.960 --> 00:17:00.550 Saxon troops allied with the French had a team huddle, 00:17:00.549 --> 00:17:01.729 and we're like, "Hey guys. 00:17:01.730 --> 00:17:03.200 I'm pretty sure the French are losing. 00:17:03.200 --> 00:17:04.160 Let's switch sides." 00:17:04.160 --> 00:17:05.259 And so they did. 00:17:05.259 --> 00:17:07.349 When it became clear that Napoleon couldn't win, 00:17:07.349 --> 00:17:09.980 he ordered a retreat across the only bridge over the river. 00:17:09.980 --> 00:17:11.660 The allies swarmed into the city 00:17:11.660 --> 00:17:14.170 and desperate fighting raged in the streets. 00:17:14.170 --> 00:17:16.410 Okay corporal, after everyone has crossed the river, 00:17:16.410 --> 00:17:18.160 I need you to blow up the bridge. 00:17:18.160 --> 00:17:21.100 Okay? Not before everyone's crossed. 00:17:21.099 --> 00:17:22.889 After. You got that? 00:17:22.890 --> 00:17:25.670 Yes, Colonel. I'm not five, I can comprehend time. 00:17:25.670 --> 00:17:26.503 Good. 00:17:27.569 --> 00:17:31.482 Wait, did he say before or after? 00:17:31.482 --> 00:17:33.691 Well, fortune favors the bold. 00:17:33.691 --> 00:17:34.524 (bridge explodes) 00:17:34.523 --> 00:17:35.799 The bridge was blown early 00:17:35.799 --> 00:17:38.815 and 30,000 French troops were stranded and captured. 00:17:38.815 --> 00:17:40.309 A disaster. 00:17:40.309 --> 00:17:42.190 And with that, the dominoes were beginning 00:17:42.190 --> 00:17:44.650 to come crashing down on Napoleon. 00:17:44.650 --> 00:17:45.870 In the south, an army 00:17:45.869 --> 00:17:47.629 under the British Duke of Wellington had been pushing 00:17:47.630 --> 00:17:49.850 the French out of Spain for the past few years 00:17:49.849 --> 00:17:51.909 and were now crossing into France. 00:17:51.910 --> 00:17:53.779 Austrian armies had pushed into Italy, 00:17:53.779 --> 00:17:56.000 while Napoleon's old, flamboyant cavalry commander, 00:17:56.000 --> 00:17:58.319 Murat, who Napoleon had made King of Naples, 00:17:58.319 --> 00:18:00.019 decided to switch sides. 00:18:00.019 --> 00:18:02.220 German states, many resentful after years 00:18:02.220 --> 00:18:04.400 under Napoleon's thumb, turned against him 00:18:04.400 --> 00:18:06.540 and the Confederation of the Rhine collapsed. 00:18:06.539 --> 00:18:08.139 Bernadotte invaded Denmark 00:18:08.140 --> 00:18:09.710 and they were forced to join the Coalition, 00:18:09.710 --> 00:18:11.930 while the Netherlands were liberated. 00:18:11.930 --> 00:18:14.610 You'd think Napoleon might've seen the writing on the wall, 00:18:14.609 --> 00:18:16.276 but he was Napoleon. 00:18:16.277 --> 00:18:19.130 And so instead, he prepared to keep fighting. 00:18:19.130 --> 00:18:21.070 As attitudes in Paris were already beginning 00:18:21.069 --> 00:18:21.980 to turn against him, 00:18:21.980 --> 00:18:25.140 he called up more conscripts to defend the exhausted nation. 00:18:25.140 --> 00:18:26.180 As for the allies, 00:18:26.180 --> 00:18:28.750 they weren't sure exactly what they were aiming for here. 00:18:28.750 --> 00:18:30.190 A few peace offers were floated 00:18:30.190 --> 00:18:32.230 that may have let Napoleon keep his position, 00:18:32.230 --> 00:18:34.250 but the British kept throwing around even more money. 00:18:34.250 --> 00:18:35.759 And eventually, they all agreed 00:18:35.759 --> 00:18:37.740 that the ultimate aim was the deposition 00:18:37.740 --> 00:18:39.450 of Napoleon entirely. 00:18:39.450 --> 00:18:43.009 And so Napoleon embarked on one of his most famous campaigns 00:18:43.009 --> 00:18:44.700 to defend the homeland. 00:18:44.700 --> 00:18:46.259 He was completely outnumbered, 00:18:46.259 --> 00:18:49.210 but the allied armies had split up and spread out. 00:18:49.210 --> 00:18:52.200 His army was so small that he could move at lightning speed. 00:18:52.200 --> 00:18:54.200 And he used this to his advantage. 00:18:54.200 --> 00:18:55.860 In the famous Six Days' Campaign 00:18:55.859 --> 00:18:57.519 against Prussian General Blucher, 00:18:57.519 --> 00:18:59.220 he attacked from all directions 00:18:59.220 --> 00:19:01.779 and defeated Blucher's forces four times, 00:19:01.779 --> 00:19:04.700 only suffering a tenth of the casualties he inflicted. 00:19:04.700 --> 00:19:07.220 Even with his back completely to the wall, 00:19:07.220 --> 00:19:09.420 Napoleon was still Napoleon. 00:19:09.420 --> 00:19:10.500 Then he turned south to take 00:19:10.500 --> 00:19:12.279 on Schwarzenberg's Army of Bohemia 00:19:12.279 --> 00:19:14.099 and enjoyed even more victories. 00:19:14.099 --> 00:19:16.189 However, Napoleon's problem was 00:19:16.190 --> 00:19:17.880 that he couldn't be everywhere at once. 00:19:17.880 --> 00:19:18.980 And wherever he wasn't, 00:19:18.980 --> 00:19:21.480 the allies continued to push towards Paris. 00:19:21.480 --> 00:19:23.630 He made one last ditch attempt at moving in 00:19:23.630 --> 00:19:26.540 behind the enemy lines and cutting off their communications, 00:19:26.539 --> 00:19:28.529 but Paris was in disarray 00:19:28.529 --> 00:19:30.450 and the people were sick of war. 00:19:30.450 --> 00:19:33.640 One ambitious and slightly treacherous politician sent 00:19:33.640 --> 00:19:35.607 the allied armies a letter basically saying, 00:19:35.606 --> 00:19:37.569 "Hey guys, come on in." 00:19:37.569 --> 00:19:39.299 And so they did. 00:19:39.299 --> 00:19:40.950 The city's defenders surrendered, 00:19:40.950 --> 00:19:42.890 and as the allied leaders entered Paris, 00:19:42.890 --> 00:19:46.130 the people cheered them as bringers of peace. 00:19:46.130 --> 00:19:48.070 Paris had fallen. 00:19:48.069 --> 00:19:50.369 Quick, marshals, gather your men. 00:19:50.369 --> 00:19:53.409 We're gonna launch an assault on Paris. 00:19:53.410 --> 00:19:54.570 Where are my marshals? 00:19:54.569 --> 00:19:56.970 They all left and told me to give you this note. 00:19:58.619 --> 00:20:01.549 Napoleon's marshals had realized what he hadn't. 00:20:01.549 --> 00:20:02.750 It was over. 00:20:02.750 --> 00:20:04.819 And they insisted all that was left now, 00:20:04.819 --> 00:20:08.179 for the good of France, was for him to abdicate. 00:20:08.180 --> 00:20:12.440 And without the support of his army, Napoleon had no choice. 00:20:12.440 --> 00:20:14.259 He hoped his son could take his place, 00:20:14.259 --> 00:20:15.670 but it was decided instead 00:20:15.670 --> 00:20:17.560 to restore the old Bourbon monarchy. 00:20:17.559 --> 00:20:19.440 Old King Louis XVI's brother 00:20:19.440 --> 00:20:21.220 would become the King of France. 00:20:21.220 --> 00:20:23.120 It was almost like the French Revolution 00:20:23.119 --> 00:20:24.679 had never even happened. 00:20:24.680 --> 00:20:26.150 But what will we do with Napoleon? 00:20:26.150 --> 00:20:28.540 We can't have a hyperactive, 44-year-old menace running 00:20:28.539 --> 00:20:30.210 around reigniting revolutionary ideals 00:20:30.210 --> 00:20:31.319 and plotting his return. 00:20:31.319 --> 00:20:35.429 Well, why don't we send him, mm, I don't know, there. 00:20:35.430 --> 00:20:37.460 The location chosen for Napoleon's exile 00:20:37.460 --> 00:20:39.380 was the small island of Elba, 00:20:39.380 --> 00:20:40.920 just off the coast of Italy. 00:20:40.920 --> 00:20:43.050 Napoleon was to rule over the island 00:20:43.049 --> 00:20:46.069 and even got to keep the title Emperor of Elba. 00:20:46.069 --> 00:20:47.829 The allies must have been in stitches 00:20:47.829 --> 00:20:49.210 when they came up with that. 00:20:49.210 --> 00:20:50.900 When he learned what his fate was to be, 00:20:50.900 --> 00:20:53.509 he drank the poison he'd been keeping around his neck, 00:20:53.509 --> 00:20:55.220 but it had gone out of date. 00:20:55.220 --> 00:20:57.089 So instead of a quick and painless death, 00:20:57.089 --> 00:20:59.439 he got a painful stummy wummy instead. 00:20:59.440 --> 00:21:00.519 Before he left France, 00:21:00.519 --> 00:21:04.029 he addressed his oldest and closest guard one last time, 00:21:04.029 --> 00:21:05.559 making an emotional speech 00:21:05.559 --> 00:21:07.649 that ended with him kissing their flag, 00:21:07.650 --> 00:21:09.900 and off he went to exile. 00:21:09.900 --> 00:21:12.790 The deal that was given to him was actually quite generous. 00:21:12.789 --> 00:21:14.409 His family were given titles, 00:21:14.410 --> 00:21:16.610 he was to receive a state pension from France, 00:21:16.609 --> 00:21:19.229 and he was able to receive many distinguished visitors, 00:21:19.230 --> 00:21:21.289 all eager to come and meet the famed emperor. 00:21:21.289 --> 00:21:22.940 And he ruled over Elba well, 00:21:22.940 --> 00:21:25.390 improving infrastructure and introducing many legal 00:21:25.390 --> 00:21:28.500 and social reforms aimed at improving life on the island. 00:21:28.500 --> 00:21:29.730 Hey, Napoleon, just coming in 00:21:29.730 --> 00:21:30.910 to check on how it's all going. 00:21:30.910 --> 00:21:32.160 Holy smokes. 00:21:32.160 --> 00:21:33.750 But it wasn't all good. 00:21:33.750 --> 00:21:35.390 For one thing, he learned of the death 00:21:35.390 --> 00:21:38.440 of his first wife Josephine and was deeply saddened. 00:21:38.440 --> 00:21:39.890 He was forbidden from seeing his son 00:21:39.890 --> 00:21:41.600 and current wife, and in Austria, 00:21:41.599 --> 00:21:44.359 Emperor Francis had ordered a local count to seduce her 00:21:44.359 --> 00:21:46.229 so she would forget about Napoleon. 00:21:46.230 --> 00:21:48.640 Then, the new King Louis XVIII refused 00:21:48.640 --> 00:21:50.290 to give Napoleon his agreed pension. 00:21:50.289 --> 00:21:52.710 He was under constant threat of assassination 00:21:52.710 --> 00:21:54.930 and there were even rumors that the allies were thinking 00:21:54.930 --> 00:21:57.660 of relocating him somewhere even more remote. 00:21:57.660 --> 00:21:59.210 But the biggest problem was 00:21:59.210 --> 00:22:01.970 that Napoleon was once the master of Europe. 00:22:01.970 --> 00:22:04.569 He had lived at three really life of adventure, 00:22:04.569 --> 00:22:06.419 fame, and glory. 00:22:06.420 --> 00:22:08.930 Now, he found himself on a tiny island 00:22:08.930 --> 00:22:12.580 in the Mediterranean and he was bored. 00:22:12.579 --> 00:22:14.369 Wouldn't it be nice if he could somehow return 00:22:14.369 --> 00:22:16.839 to France and reclaim his throne? 00:22:16.839 --> 00:22:18.079 Hey, Napoleon, wanna go back 00:22:18.079 --> 00:22:19.939 to France and reclaim your throne? 00:22:19.940 --> 00:22:21.950 I would, Pierre, but how? 00:22:21.950 --> 00:22:24.970 Well, I was thinking we could just take this boat. 00:22:24.970 --> 00:22:26.019 Will that work? 00:22:26.019 --> 00:22:27.960 Surprisingly, yes. 00:22:27.960 --> 00:22:30.980 Pierre, remember when I told you no one would ever kiss you? 00:22:30.980 --> 00:22:31.970 Yes, sire. 00:22:31.970 --> 00:22:34.269 Well, pucker up, boyo! 00:22:34.269 --> 00:22:35.103 Yay! 00:22:35.103 --> 00:22:36.450 When Napoleon left Elba, 00:22:36.450 --> 00:22:38.720 it wasn't really the daring escape you might think. 00:22:38.720 --> 00:22:41.110 He basically had kind of a leaving ceremony, 00:22:41.109 --> 00:22:43.500 hopped on a ship, and sailed back to France. 00:22:43.500 --> 00:22:45.809 He brought with him an army of about 1,000 men 00:22:45.809 --> 00:22:47.779 and he began his journey to Paris. 00:22:47.779 --> 00:22:50.639 However, in Paris, there was now a new king. 00:22:50.640 --> 00:22:52.910 And at first, the people largely accepted him 00:22:52.910 --> 00:22:54.259 because the last few years of war 00:22:54.259 --> 00:22:56.329 under Napoleon had brought immense death 00:22:56.329 --> 00:22:57.980 and economic suffering. 00:22:57.980 --> 00:22:58.819 That's right! 00:22:58.819 --> 00:23:00.539 The king is back, baby! 00:23:00.539 --> 00:23:02.220 Divine right to rule! 00:23:02.220 --> 00:23:03.279 Don't worry, everyone. 00:23:03.279 --> 00:23:04.819 I know the economy is caput, 00:23:04.819 --> 00:23:08.480 but I and my courtiers will withdraw into this palace 00:23:08.480 --> 00:23:10.309 and we will definitely work as hard 00:23:10.309 --> 00:23:12.193 as we can to fix everything. 00:23:12.193 --> 00:23:13.527 (air whooshes) (crowd cheering) 00:23:13.527 --> 00:23:17.527 (energetic music) - [Crowd] Huh? 00:23:18.486 --> 00:23:19.319 (glass shatters) 00:23:19.318 --> 00:23:20.859 (partiers laughing) - Oh yeah, 00:23:20.859 --> 00:23:22.119 that's why we got rid of the king. 00:23:22.119 --> 00:23:24.009 As the Bourbon monarchy began to look more 00:23:24.009 --> 00:23:25.569 and more like a return to the past, 00:23:25.569 --> 00:23:27.470 and the returning nobility seemed hell-bent 00:23:27.470 --> 00:23:29.360 on regaining their lost privileges, 00:23:29.359 --> 00:23:31.240 the people weren't too happy. 00:23:31.240 --> 00:23:32.690 And so Napoleon hoped 00:23:32.690 --> 00:23:35.610 that his glorious return would be met with jubilation. 00:23:35.609 --> 00:23:37.919 In the end, the reaction was a little mixed, 00:23:37.920 --> 00:23:40.640 but many were happy to see their old emperor. 00:23:40.640 --> 00:23:43.020 Your Majesty, it seems that Napoleon is back 00:23:43.019 --> 00:23:45.029 and marching this way with 1,000 men. 00:23:45.029 --> 00:23:47.119 That guy? No problem. 00:23:47.119 --> 00:23:48.750 I have hundreds of thousands of men. 00:23:48.750 --> 00:23:49.972 Send them to arrest him. 00:23:51.859 --> 00:23:52.959 Ugh, Your Majesty, 00:23:52.960 --> 00:23:54.620 it seems the thousands of men we sent 00:23:54.619 --> 00:23:57.359 to arrest Napoleon have all joined his side. 00:23:57.359 --> 00:23:59.199 Well, I'm off to Belgium. 00:23:59.200 --> 00:24:02.299 If you ever need a king again, be sure to let me know. 00:24:02.299 --> 00:24:04.099 As Napoleon continued his journey, 00:24:04.099 --> 00:24:06.219 the king had sent battalions of men to stop him, 00:24:06.220 --> 00:24:08.730 but they largely comprised of Napoleon's old soldiers, 00:24:08.730 --> 00:24:11.779 many unhappy with King Louis' military reforms. 00:24:11.779 --> 00:24:13.829 And so when ordered to arrest him, 00:24:13.829 --> 00:24:15.359 they simply couldn't do it. 00:24:15.359 --> 00:24:18.306 In one famous incident, the troops began to cry out, 00:24:18.307 --> 00:24:20.099 "Long live the emperor!" 00:24:20.099 --> 00:24:21.529 When Napoleon reached Paris, 00:24:21.529 --> 00:24:24.309 with King Louis having fled, he entered unopposed 00:24:24.309 --> 00:24:25.779 to reclaim his throne. 00:24:25.779 --> 00:24:28.109 Napoleon was back from the dead. 00:24:28.109 --> 00:24:28.942 Okay, everyone. 00:24:28.942 --> 00:24:30.670 Now that we've finally gotten rid of that guy, 00:24:30.670 --> 00:24:31.700 let's try to make sure something 00:24:31.700 --> 00:24:33.908 like this can never happen again. 00:24:33.907 --> 00:24:35.659 (air whooshes) 00:24:35.660 --> 00:24:36.730 What's that doing there? 00:24:36.730 --> 00:24:37.771 Hey, fellow monarchs. 00:24:37.771 --> 00:24:40.980 (all screaming) 00:24:40.980 --> 00:24:43.230 I pooed my pants again! Ah! 00:24:44.839 --> 00:24:46.250 This time Napoleon promised he would be 00:24:46.250 --> 00:24:48.839 a mucho, mucho good boy and not start any wars, 00:24:48.839 --> 00:24:51.079 but the allied leaders were having none of it. 00:24:51.079 --> 00:24:52.669 They declared Napoleon an outlaw 00:24:52.670 --> 00:24:54.710 and the illegitimate ruler of France. 00:24:54.710 --> 00:24:57.610 Then, they declared war, not on France, 00:24:57.609 --> 00:24:59.399 but on Napoleon himself. 00:24:59.400 --> 00:25:01.410 And when you have multiple empires declaring war 00:25:01.410 --> 00:25:02.740 on you as an individual, 00:25:02.740 --> 00:25:05.059 that's how you know you're a very naughty boy. 00:25:05.059 --> 00:25:06.889 The allied powers began making plans 00:25:06.890 --> 00:25:10.040 to combine their forces and once again invade France. 00:25:10.039 --> 00:25:11.079 The most immediate threat 00:25:11.079 --> 00:25:13.369 to Napoleon were the British and Prussians hanging 00:25:13.369 --> 00:25:14.529 out in nearby Belgium. 00:25:14.529 --> 00:25:16.619 If Napoleon could knock them out quickly, 00:25:16.619 --> 00:25:18.809 maybe he could force the allies to negotiate 00:25:18.809 --> 00:25:21.480 and maybe he could hold on to his power. 00:25:21.480 --> 00:25:23.940 Together, the two armies to the north outnumbered him, 00:25:23.940 --> 00:25:25.559 so he made a plan to divide them 00:25:25.559 --> 00:25:27.200 and take them on separately. 00:25:27.200 --> 00:25:30.240 Historians debate how much of a chance Napoleon had here, 00:25:30.240 --> 00:25:32.170 but this same strategy of dividing 00:25:32.170 --> 00:25:35.060 and conquering had worked for him multiple times. 00:25:35.059 --> 00:25:38.549 He marched north with 125,000 men and took on the allies 00:25:38.549 --> 00:25:40.129 in a number of initial engagements, 00:25:40.130 --> 00:25:41.330 defeating the Prussians 00:25:41.329 --> 00:25:43.569 before turning to take on the British. 00:25:43.569 --> 00:25:47.129 But to Napoleon's dismay, miscommunication and hesitation 00:25:47.130 --> 00:25:49.310 among his marshals allowed both enemy armies 00:25:49.309 --> 00:25:52.269 to retreat and crucially, rather than fleeing east, 00:25:52.269 --> 00:25:54.609 the Prussians moved north where they could remain 00:25:54.609 --> 00:25:56.119 in contact with the British. 00:25:56.119 --> 00:25:58.429 Napoleon sent a force to hold off the Prussians 00:25:58.430 --> 00:25:59.850 as he moved in on the British, 00:25:59.849 --> 00:26:02.579 now holding a defensive position at Waterloo. 00:26:02.579 --> 00:26:04.220 Prussian General Blucher sent word 00:26:04.220 --> 00:26:05.690 that he would come to Wellington's aid 00:26:05.690 --> 00:26:08.190 if he could just hold off the French for long enough. 00:26:08.190 --> 00:26:09.890 Napoleon had to defeat Wellington 00:26:09.890 --> 00:26:12.150 before the Prussian Army could arrive in force. 00:26:12.150 --> 00:26:14.030 And it was close. 00:26:14.029 --> 00:26:15.339 The British held the high ground 00:26:15.339 --> 00:26:16.970 and a number of key defensive buildings 00:26:16.970 --> 00:26:18.100 across the battlefield. 00:26:18.099 --> 00:26:19.899 After waiting some hours he didn't have 00:26:19.900 --> 00:26:21.050 for the ground to dry, 00:26:21.049 --> 00:26:23.609 Napoleon sent men to assault the Hougoumont farm. 00:26:23.609 --> 00:26:26.229 But the British-German garrison there held up. 00:26:26.230 --> 00:26:27.940 French Marshall Ney launched a number 00:26:27.940 --> 00:26:30.710 of miscalculated cavalry charges at the British lines. 00:26:30.710 --> 00:26:33.100 The British formed defensive square formations, 00:26:33.099 --> 00:26:35.490 and they tore the French cavalry to shreds, 00:26:35.490 --> 00:26:37.490 while one guy chose the absolute worst time 00:26:37.490 --> 00:26:38.470 to go on a bender. 00:26:38.470 --> 00:26:40.940 The French did manage to capture a farmhouse directly 00:26:40.940 --> 00:26:42.130 in front of the British line. 00:26:42.130 --> 00:26:44.520 And from there, they unleashed artillery hellfire 00:26:44.519 --> 00:26:46.339 on the British square formations. 00:26:46.339 --> 00:26:48.399 And as Napoleon sent his Imperial Guard in 00:26:48.400 --> 00:26:49.769 to finish the British off, 00:26:49.769 --> 00:26:53.089 a nervous Wellington knew his lines were at breaking point. 00:26:53.089 --> 00:26:55.740 But the Prussians had earlier begun to arrive, 00:26:55.740 --> 00:26:58.420 and now they were arriving in large numbers. 00:26:58.420 --> 00:26:59.779 And after the British held out 00:26:59.779 --> 00:27:01.619 and sent the French Imperial Guard running, 00:27:01.619 --> 00:27:02.959 the French lines panicked, 00:27:02.960 --> 00:27:05.980 fearing they had been encircled, and they began to flee. 00:27:05.980 --> 00:27:09.130 The Battle of Waterloo was an allied victory. 00:27:09.130 --> 00:27:10.880 And with that, Napoleon's hopes 00:27:10.880 --> 00:27:13.050 of returning to glory were vanquished. 00:27:13.049 --> 00:27:14.829 He knew he was defeated. 00:27:14.829 --> 00:27:16.386 He went to the British and said, 00:27:16.386 --> 00:27:18.492 "Can I please have a house near London?" 00:27:18.492 --> 00:27:20.569 And the British replied, "No." 00:27:20.569 --> 00:27:23.159 Instead, to make sure Napoleon was put away once 00:27:23.160 --> 00:27:25.490 and for all, they sent him to one of the most isolated 00:27:25.490 --> 00:27:27.789 and remote places they could think of. 00:27:27.789 --> 00:27:31.329 A tiny island in the Atlantic Ocean, Saint Helena. 00:27:31.329 --> 00:27:33.009 Here, a deeply isolated 00:27:33.009 --> 00:27:34.460 and depressed Emperor Napoleon 00:27:34.460 --> 00:27:36.840 would live the remaining years of his life. 00:27:36.839 --> 00:27:38.359 His house was a wooden bungalow, 00:27:38.359 --> 00:27:40.899 not exactly on par with the Tuileries Palace. 00:27:40.900 --> 00:27:42.150 Much to his frustration, 00:27:42.150 --> 00:27:44.340 his captains referred to him as general, 00:27:44.339 --> 00:27:45.750 rather than calling him emperor. 00:27:45.750 --> 00:27:47.069 His mail was censored. 00:27:47.069 --> 00:27:48.500 His visitors were vetted. 00:27:48.500 --> 00:27:50.670 There was almost no way he could escape such 00:27:50.670 --> 00:27:52.640 an isolated island, but just to be sure, 00:27:52.640 --> 00:27:54.840 he was guarded by 2,000 British soldiers 00:27:54.839 --> 00:27:58.059 and two ships that circled the island 24 hours a day. 00:27:58.059 --> 00:28:00.599 He had once been the most powerful man alive, 00:28:00.599 --> 00:28:03.299 and images of the victorious Napoleon depict 00:28:03.299 --> 00:28:06.299 a strong leader, hand firmly in jacket. 00:28:06.299 --> 00:28:08.529 Depictions of Napoleon on Saint Helena show 00:28:08.529 --> 00:28:11.889 a disheveled, old man, hand firmly in pants. 00:28:11.890 --> 00:28:13.680 He had lost everything. 00:28:13.680 --> 00:28:15.880 And by the way, he was only 46. 00:28:15.880 --> 00:28:17.540 So maybe it's about time you... 00:28:18.539 --> 00:28:19.430 You know what? 00:28:19.430 --> 00:28:21.170 You're doing all right kid. 00:28:21.170 --> 00:28:23.980 Napoleon fought one last battle while on the island. 00:28:23.980 --> 00:28:26.120 The battle for his reputation. 00:28:26.119 --> 00:28:27.989 He spent hours writing his memoirs, 00:28:27.990 --> 00:28:30.960 espousing his achievements, recording his greatness, 00:28:30.960 --> 00:28:34.940 and turning himself and his story into a phenomenal legend. 00:28:34.940 --> 00:28:37.660 And in this battle, he certainly succeeded. 00:28:37.660 --> 00:28:40.060 His mark on history can not be denied. 00:28:40.059 --> 00:28:42.529 After his defeat, the European monarchs had got 00:28:42.529 --> 00:28:44.920 to work restoring Europe to its traditional balance 00:28:44.920 --> 00:28:46.570 and reasserting their dominance. 00:28:46.569 --> 00:28:48.439 But after Napoleon had spread the influence 00:28:48.440 --> 00:28:49.650 of the French Revolution, 00:28:49.650 --> 00:28:51.070 these returning monarchs would have 00:28:51.069 --> 00:28:54.019 a difficult time regaining their absolute control. 00:28:54.019 --> 00:28:56.200 France returned to the rule of the Bourbons, 00:28:56.200 --> 00:28:58.789 but it would go on to stage another revolution, 00:28:58.789 --> 00:28:59.690 and then another one. 00:28:59.690 --> 00:29:01.680 Reaction to Napoleon's rule in places 00:29:01.680 --> 00:29:04.289 like Germany and Italy propelled forward the ideas 00:29:04.289 --> 00:29:07.109 and feelings of modern unity and nationalism, 00:29:07.109 --> 00:29:09.759 and his "Napoleonic Code" still remains the basis 00:29:09.759 --> 00:29:12.349 of law in various modern countries. 00:29:12.349 --> 00:29:15.469 The modern world owes a lot to Napoleon's legacy. 00:29:15.470 --> 00:29:16.769 He remains, statistically, 00:29:16.769 --> 00:29:19.299 possibly the greatest military general in history 00:29:19.299 --> 00:29:21.529 and his revolutionary military tactics 00:29:21.529 --> 00:29:23.500 changed the face of warfare. 00:29:23.500 --> 00:29:26.660 He was the last truly great leader to both lead his armies 00:29:26.660 --> 00:29:29.509 in battle while retaining total political control 00:29:29.509 --> 00:29:31.269 over a vast empire. 00:29:31.269 --> 00:29:32.930 There's still hope for Joe Biden. 00:29:32.930 --> 00:29:34.900 But the man remained somewhat of an enigma, 00:29:34.900 --> 00:29:36.200 and we still aren't sure exactly what 00:29:36.200 --> 00:29:38.069 to make of him in some regards. 00:29:38.069 --> 00:29:40.490 Was he the champion of the French Revolution, 00:29:40.490 --> 00:29:42.440 spreading equality wherever he went 00:29:42.440 --> 00:29:45.450 or did betray it by making himself an absolute Monarch 00:29:45.450 --> 00:29:47.319 and restricting certain liberties? 00:29:47.319 --> 00:29:50.409 Was he an ambitious and aggressive conqueror hell-bent 00:29:50.410 --> 00:29:52.210 on bringing Europe to its knees 00:29:52.210 --> 00:29:53.799 or was he simply defending himself 00:29:53.799 --> 00:29:55.909 against an aggressive Europe hell-bent 00:29:55.910 --> 00:29:57.420 on reducing his power? 00:29:57.420 --> 00:29:59.900 Some things will continue to be debated. 00:29:59.900 --> 00:30:02.550 Napoleon died at the age of 51, 00:30:02.549 --> 00:30:03.869 officially of stomach cancer, 00:30:03.869 --> 00:30:05.879 but some believe he may have been poisoned. 00:30:05.880 --> 00:30:07.970 The British buried him in a tin coffin 00:30:07.970 --> 00:30:10.519 inside a mahogany coffin inside a lead coffin 00:30:10.519 --> 00:30:12.329 inside another mahogany coffin. 00:30:12.329 --> 00:30:13.689 I guess this time they wanted 00:30:13.690 --> 00:30:15.610 to make sure he stayed where they put him. 00:30:15.609 --> 00:30:18.059 In 1840, his remains were moved to Paris 00:30:18.059 --> 00:30:21.359 where they now rest under the Dome of Les Invalides. 00:30:21.359 --> 00:30:24.569 The man from humble origins, with huge ambition, 00:30:24.569 --> 00:30:28.230 ruthless determination, immaculate skill on the battlefield, 00:30:28.230 --> 00:30:31.700 and a hefty dose of luck who was determined to make his mark 00:30:31.700 --> 00:30:34.586 on history did just that. 00:30:34.586 --> 00:30:36.737 "There is no immortality," he said, 00:30:36.737 --> 00:30:39.420 "but the memory that is left in the minds of men." 00:30:39.420 --> 00:30:43.452 And in that sense, Napoleon knew he would live on forever. 00:30:44.299 --> 00:30:46.069 Oh, and to reiterate, 00:30:46.069 --> 00:30:49.187 he was definitely average height for the time. 00:30:49.188 --> 00:30:51.771 (upbeat music)