What happened to Napoleon in 1814?

• A. He abdicated and was exiled to Elba.
• B. He invaded Russia and won a decisive victory.
• C. He declared himself king of a united Europe.
• D. He died in exile on Elba.

Answer: (A)

Napoleon’s fate in 1814 centers on the collapse of his grip on power in France and his removal from the throne. After coalition forces captured Paris and his military position crumbled, he abdicated as Emperor of the French. Rather than being killed or kept imprisoned, he was sent into exile on Elba, a small Mediterranean island, where he retained some honors and ruled the tiny domain. This move ended his rule in France for the moment and paved the way for the Bourbon Restoration. The other statements don’t fit: the major Russian campaign happened in 1812 and ended in disaster, not a 1814 victory; he did not declare himself king of a united Europe; and he did not die on Elba—he would escape a year later and die in 1821 on Saint Helena.