What were the major factors that led to Napoleon Bonaparte's downfall?

There were several major factors that led to Napoleon Bonaparte's downfall. These include:

1. Overextension of the French Empire: Napoleon's ambition to expand the French Empire led to costly wars and military campaigns across Europe. The constant need for resources and manpower strained the French economy and exhausted the French people.

2. Coalition of European Powers: Napoleon's aggressive expansionism and military successes alarmed other European powers. They formed coalitions against France, combining their forces to challenge Napoleon's dominance. The combined strength of these coalitions eventually overwhelmed Napoleon's armies.

3. The Peninsular War: Napoleon's invasion of Spain in 1808 sparked a long and brutal conflict known as the Peninsular War. The Spanish guerrilla warfare tactics and the resistance from the local population drained French resources and diverted Napoleon's attention from other fronts.

4. Russian Campaign: In 1812, Napoleon launched a disastrous invasion of Russia. The Russian army employed a scorched-earth policy, burning their own lands and resources to deny them to the French. The harsh Russian winter, lack of supplies, and constant attacks from Russian forces decimated Napoleon's Grand Army, leading to a significant loss of power and prestige.

5. Defeat at the Battle of Leipzig: In 1813, Napoleon faced a decisive defeat at the Battle of Leipzig, also known as the Battle of Nations. This battle marked the turning point of the Napoleonic Wars, as the combined forces of Austria, Prussia, Russia, and Sweden defeated Napoleon's army. This defeat weakened Napoleon's hold on power and forced him to abdicate the throne.

6. The Hundred Days: After his initial abdication in 1814, Napoleon was exiled to the island of Elba. However, he managed to escape and returned to France for a brief period known as the Hundred Days. Although he briefly regained power, his defeat at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815 led to his final downfall and subsequent exile to the island of Saint Helena.

These factors, combined with other political and military challenges, ultimately led to Napoleon Bonaparte's downfall and the end of his rule.