Napoleon's second abdication facts for kids

Napoleon Bonaparte, a famous French leader, gave up his power as Emperor on June 22, 1815. This happened after a major defeat at the Battle of Waterloo. He tried to keep his position, but the French government and people wanted him to step down.

Napoleon on Board the Bellerophon, painted in 1880. It shows Napoleon watching the French coast disappear on July 23, 1815.

After his defeat, Napoleon returned to Paris. He hoped to get support to continue fighting. However, the French parliament formed a temporary government. They demanded that Napoleon give up his throne. Napoleon thought about taking control by force, but he decided against it.

On June 25, Napoleon left Paris. He hoped to escape to the United States of America. But the Royal Navy was watching the coast. Realizing he couldn't get away, Napoleon surrendered to Captain Frederick Lewis Maitland of the British ship HMS Bellerophon. The British government decided he could not stay in England. Instead, they sent him far away to the island of Saint Helena in the South Atlantic. He lived there until he passed away in 1821.

Napoleon's Final Days of Power

Return to Paris After Defeat

After losing the Battle of Waterloo, Napoleon's popularity in France quickly faded. Several enemy armies were advancing towards Paris. His commanders wanted him to stay and lead the troops. But Napoleon believed he needed to be in Paris. He feared that if he stayed away, the government might surrender without him.

Napoleon had noticed that his presence in Paris often calmed his critics. However, his defeat and exile in 1814 had weakened his power. He now had to listen more to the elected government and public opinion. It was a tough situation to gain support for more fighting.

Napoleon arrived in Paris on June 21, just a week after leading his army. He brought the terrible news of his campaign's failure. His sudden return confirmed the worst fears for many. News of the defeat had reached Paris just two hours before him. This caused those planning against him to pause their actions.

Some people saw Napoleon's return to Paris as a mistake. They thought he was abandoning his soldiers. If he had stayed with his army, the country might have rallied behind him. But by returning, he gave his opponents a chance to act.

An English woman living in France at the time noted how used the French people were to changes in government. They had seen two changes in just 15 months. For many, these changes felt like a simple shift in political leaders. Most government workers even kept their jobs. This made many people unwilling to risk their lives or property for any specific leader.

Government Leaders Discuss the Crisis

Napoleon quickly called a meeting with his top ministers. He explained the serious situation. He believed that if the whole nation rose up to fight, they could defeat the enemy. But he warned that if the parliament spent time arguing, all would be lost.

"Now that the enemy is in France," he added, "I need special powers, like a temporary dictator. I could take this power for the country's safety. But it would be better if the parliament gave it to me."

His ministers knew that the parliament would not easily agree to this. Lazare Carnot, the Minister of the Interior, suggested declaring the country in danger. He wanted to call up citizen soldiers and prepare Paris for defense. He also suggested gathering forces to push the enemy out of France. The Minister of the Navy and the Secretary of State agreed.

However, Joseph Fouché, the Minister of Police, and the remaining ministers disagreed. They believed the country's safety depended on the parliament and its cooperation with Napoleon. They thought that showing trust would encourage the parliament to work with him.

Fouché's Secret Plans

Fouché's advice was clever. He knew exactly what different political groups in France wanted. He knew that most members of parliament wanted to remove Napoleon. They wanted more constitutional freedom. Fouché used this knowledge for his own benefit.

He had been secretly talking with the advisors of Louis XVIII, the king who had been removed. Fouché knew the plans of the enemy countries. He realized that Napoleon would eventually lose, even if he won a few more battles. The enemy powers were determined to defeat him.

Fouché believed that if Napoleon tried to take power by force, it would lead to chaos in Paris and across the country. This would cause more suffering and loss of life. To prevent this, Fouché wanted to buy time. He wanted to let the parliament carry out its plans to remove Napoleon. That's why he gave the advice he did to Napoleon's council.

Fouché openly disagreed with Napoleon's idea of dissolving the parliament and becoming a dictator. He said it would cause distrust and possibly a revolt. At the same time, his agents were spreading news in Paris about Napoleon's defeat. This made the parliament members gather quickly to take a strong stand.

Fouché kept the parliament's true intentions hidden from Napoleon. While this was a betrayal of trust, many believe his actions saved France from even worse problems.

Parliament Takes Action

The French parliament, called the Chamber of Representatives, met early on June 21, 1815. They began discussing the situation. Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette, a respected leader, knew they had to act fast. He spoke to the Chamber in a very serious tone:

"Representatives! The country is in danger. The bad news from the last two days is true. Now is the time to unite under our national flag, the flag of liberty and order. Only you can protect France from outside attacks and internal disagreements. Only you can ensure France's independence and honor."

Lafayette then proposed several important resolutions:

• The Chamber declared that the nation's independence was threatened.
• The Chamber would stay in session permanently. Any attempt to close it would be considered high treason.
• The army and National Guards who fought for France deserved the nation's thanks.
• Ministers of War, Foreign Affairs, Police, and Interior were asked to come to the Chamber's meeting immediately.

No one dared to oppose these strong resolutions. Napoleon's supporters were surprised. The resolutions were quickly approved by everyone. They were then sent to the Chamber of Peers, another part of the parliament, which also approved them.

Napoleon's Reaction and Message

Napoleon received the parliament's resolutions during his own council meeting. He was shocked. He saw it as the parliament taking power that belonged to him. He, who had controlled the state for so long, was now facing the strong voice of the people. He felt angry and frustrated that he had called the parliament together in the first place. "I should have dismissed these people before I left," he thought.

After thinking it over, Napoleon decided to try and gain time with the parliament. He sent his Secretary of State, Regnaud de Saint Jean d'Angely, to the Chamber of Representatives. Regnaud was to calm them down. He was to say that the army was close to victory when some people caused confusion. He also said that Napoleon had rushed to Paris to plan for the country's safety with his ministers and the parliament. Lazare Carnot was sent to deliver a similar message to the Chamber of Peers.

Regnaud's efforts did not work. The Representatives were impatient. They demanded that the ministers appear before them. Napoleon reluctantly agreed, but he sent his brother Lucien Bonaparte with them. Lucien was to act as a special representative and answer the Chamber's questions.

At 6:00 PM on June 21, Lucien Bonaparte and the ministers arrived. Lucien explained that Napoleon had sent him to work with the assembly on safety measures. He then read Napoleon's message. It briefly described the defeat at Waterloo. It asked the Representatives to unite with Napoleon to save France from ruin. It also suggested that both Chambers appoint a commission of five members. This commission would work with the ministers to plan for safety and negotiate for peace with the enemy countries.

The message was not well received. A heated discussion followed. It became clear that the Representatives wanted Napoleon to be more direct about his plans. They wanted him to agree with their views. One member spoke directly to the ministers: "You know as well as we do that Europe has declared war only against Napoleon. Separate Napoleon's cause from the nation's. In my opinion, only one person stands between us and peace. Let him speak the word, and the country will be saved!"

Many members agreed. After much debate, they decided to appoint a commission of five members, as Napoleon had suggested.

A Special Commission is Formed

On June 21, a commission of five members was created. It included the President and Vice Presidents of the Chamber of Representatives. Their job was to gather information about France's situation. They would then propose solutions, working with Napoleon's Cabinet and a committee from the Chamber of Peers. The members were Jean Denis, comte Lanjuinais, La Fayette, Jacques-Charles Dupont de l'Eure, Pierre-François Flaugergues, and Paul Grenier.

Later that evening, Lucien Bonaparte also presented Napoleon's message to the Chamber of Peers. They also appointed a committee. This committee included Generals Antoine Drouot, Jean François Aimé Dejean, Antoine-François Andréossy, François Antoine de Boissy d'Anglas, and Antoine Claire Thibaudeau.

At 11:00 PM, Lafayette spoke to the ten members of the combined commission. He proposed two main ideas: first, that Napoleon should give up his throne, and second, that a special group should negotiate with the enemy countries. Both ideas were approved. They agreed to give Napoleon one hour to respond to their demand.

Napoleon knew what was happening in the Chamber of Representatives. He thought for a long time about whether to close the assembly or give up his title. Some of his ministers warned him that the Chamber had too much public support to be shut down by force. They said that if he didn't abdicate soon, he might lose the chance to pass the throne to his son. Still, Napoleon wanted to wait, hoping something good would happen to change the Chamber's mind.

The Morning of June 22: Demands for Abdication

The Representatives met again at 9:30 AM on June 22. They were very impatient for the committee's report. After two hours, members became very agitated. Some suggested they should act immediately without waiting for the report.

Finally, General Grenier, the committee's reporter, appeared. He announced that after five hours of discussion, the committee had decided: "The country's safety requires that the Emperor agrees to a commission. This commission, chosen by both Chambers, will negotiate directly with the enemy powers. They will insist that the enemy respects France's independence, its borders, and its right to choose its own government. These talks must be supported by quickly building up France's military strength."

Many members were unhappy with this statement. But General Grenier, knowing what the Chamber expected, continued: "This plan, gentlemen, appears incomplete. It doesn't fully achieve what the Chamber wants. It's possible your representatives might not even be allowed to negotiate. I wouldn't push for this plan if I didn't believe you would soon receive a message. In this message, the Emperor will state his wish that this plan be tried first. If he then proves to be an obstacle to the nation seeking its independence, he will be ready to make any sacrifice needed."

This caused a huge stir in the Chamber. Many saw it as a trick by Napoleon to delay things. They thought he wanted to wait for a chance to regain full power and become a dictator again. The noise and anger grew very loud. Many members shouted against the report.

Then, Antoine Louis Hippolyte Duchesne, a Representative, spoke strongly: "I don't believe the committee's plan will work. Our disasters are clear; the leader of our armies is in the capital. While the nation has great energy, its resources are limited. The Chambers cannot offer negotiations to the enemy. They have always refused our offers as long as the Emperor leads us."

The President interrupted Duchesne, saying that Napoleon's message would arrive before 3:00 PM. This interruption, at such a critical moment, made the Chamber even more chaotic. Some shouted, "It's a plan to waste our time!" Others cried, "Some plot is being made!" Most yelled, "Go on, go on! There's no other way!"

Duchesne continued: "We need to be sure that our national strength can support our negotiations. Can that strength be built up quickly enough? What if victorious armies reach the capital again? Then, the old royal family will return." (Many voices shouted, "Never! Never!") "I speak my mind freely. What could happen? We have only one sure way left: to ask the Emperor, for the safety of the State, for our suffering country, to declare his Abdication."

As soon as he said "Abdication," the entire assembly stood up. Amidst the shouts, a hundred voices cried, "Seconded! Seconded!"

When the President finally restored some order, he said, "I cannot get any results unless the assembly calms down. The country's safety depends on today's decision. I beg the Chamber to wait for the Emperor's message."

General Jean-Baptiste Solignac immediately supported Duchesne's idea. Solignac had faced difficulties from Napoleon in the past. Everyone was curious to hear what he would say. General Solignac said: "I also share the concerns of the previous speaker. Yes! We must think about the Empire's safety and our freedoms. While the government wants to offer solutions, it's important that the Chamber allows the Emperor to make this decision freely. I propose that five members go to the Emperor. They should tell His Majesty how urgent his decision is. Their report, I hope, will satisfy both the assembly and the nation."

This idea was well-received. The President was about to put it to a vote when Solignac spoke again: "I wish to propose an amendment to my motion. Several persons have told me we will soon know His Majesty's decision. So, I think it necessary that we should wait for one hour, to receive the message that is coming to the Chambers." (Many in the Chamber showed their disapproval.) "Gentlemen! We all wish to save our country; but can we not combine this goal with respecting the leader of the State?" (Cries of "Yes! Yes!") "If I requested that we should wait until this evening or tomorrow, some considerations might be opposed — but, just one hour."

This speech was met with cries of "Yes! Yes! To the vote!" Marshal Louis-Nicolas Davout then came to the Chamber. He read a report from another Marshal, saying the situation was serious but not hopeless. He added that declaring any soldier who deserted a traitor could still save the country. A member asked if this was true, given reports of enemy forces reaching Laon. Davout denied this and repeated that the military situation was not hopeless. Shortly after his speech, at 11:00 AM, the Chamber took a break.

Napoleon Abdicates His Throne

Meanwhile, Napoleon had been told about the mood in the Chamber of Representatives. Regnaud de Saint Jean d'Angely rushed to warn him. He said that if Napoleon didn't abdicate immediately, the Chamber would likely remove him from power.

Napoleon was very angry at the idea of being forced out. He declared, "Since that is the case, I will not abdicate at all. The Chamber is full of troublemakers who seek disorder or power. I should have told the Nation about them and dismissed them. The time that has been lost can still be recovered."

Regnaud, however, strongly urged him to accept the difficult situation. He asked Napoleon to make the same noble sacrifice he made in 1814. He assured him that if he didn't step down, the Chamber and the entire nation would blame him for preventing peace.

Solignac and other Representatives then arrived. They bravely told Napoleon that he had no choice but to agree to the nation's wishes. Solignac described the scene in the Chamber. He explained how difficult it was to get them to wait even for an hour. He warned that if Napoleon didn't abdicate voluntarily, he would face the disgrace of being removed. Even his brothers, Lucien Bonaparte and Joseph Bonaparte, now agreed that it was too late to resist.

After his great anger calmed down, Napoleon decided to abdicate in favor of his son. He asked his brother Lucien to write down his declaration. Napoleon dictated a statement giving up his throne to his son, Napoleon II, as Emperor of the French.

The Chamber of Representatives resumed its meeting at midday. At 1:00 PM, Fouché, Caulaincourt, Davout, and Carnot brought the declaration to the Chamber. The President read it aloud. Everyone listened in respectful silence. Many opposition members, who had feared Napoleon might try to take power by force, felt a great sense of relief.

This resignation was the last major political act of Napoleon's life. Defeated by foreign enemies and controlled by the nation's representatives, he was forced to step down from a throne where he once held immense power. Unlike his past dramatic changes, this transition happened quietly.

There is little doubt that he considered trying to seize power again. But the strong opinions in the National Assembly, the pleas of his friends, and the hope of keeping the throne for his family made him give up that idea. He also knew that many people in the government and country disliked King Louis XVIII. He likely hoped that if chaos broke out, he might be called upon to restore order.

Choosing New Government Leaders

After Napoleon's abdication was official, the parliament debated what to do next. Some supported a government led by Napoleon II. Others wanted a republic. Most were against bringing back King Louis XVIII. However, they knew they had to reach an agreement with the enemy countries. They also didn't want the army, which still supported Napoleon, to try to take power. The Chamber decided not to declare itself a national assembly. They felt this would be taking power they didn't have and would break their current constitution. So, the Chamber decided to elect a commission to form a new government under the existing constitution. They also decided that this new government would communicate with the enemy armies.

Five hundred and eleven members voted in the first round for the new government leaders:

• Lazare, Count Carnot received 304 votes.
• Joseph Fouché, Duke of Otranto, received 293 votes.
• General Paul Grenier received 204 votes.
• General Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette received 142 votes.
• Marshal Jacques MacDonald received 137 votes.

Carnot and Fouché were chosen as two of the three members of the commission. In the second round of voting, Grenier was chosen as the third member with 350 votes. The meeting then ended until the next morning.

The Chamber of Peers met later that day. Carnot read Napoleon's abdication statement. This was heard quietly. But when Carnot reported on the state of the army, a heated debate began. Marshal Michel Ney stated that the French army could not gather enough men. He said, "You have no other means of saving your country but by negotiation."

The Peers were informed of the Chamber of Representatives' decisions. Prince Lucien and other supporters of Napoleon argued that Napoleon had abdicated for his son. If his son was not recognized, the abdication could be seen as invalid. The Chamber decided not to support Napoleon's family. They agreed to send two of their members to be part of the government commission. In the first round, Armand Caulaincourt, Duke of Vicenza, was elected with 51 votes. In the second round, Nicolas Quinette, Baron Quinnette, gained 48 votes and became the fifth member of the commission. The Peers finally ended their meeting early on June 23.

Forming a Provisional Government

On the morning of June 23, the chosen leaders appointed Joseph Fouché, Duke of Otranto, as their president. Marshal André Masséna was named commander of the Parisian National Guard. Count Antoine-François Andréossy became commander of the first military division, and Count Antoine Drouot of the Imperial Guard. Louis Pierre Édouard, Baron Bignon was chosen as the temporary minister for foreign affairs. General Carnot became Minister of the Interior, and Count Joseph Pelet de la Lozère of the police.

That evening, representatives were sent out to negotiate peace with the European powers. These powers had promised peace if Napoleon Bonaparte was no longer recognized as Emperor of the French. The representatives sent to talk with the allies were Messrs. Lafayette, Sebastiani, D’Argenson, Count Laforêt, and Count Pontecoulant. Benjamin Constant joined them as secretary. They left Paris on the evening of June 24.

Official Proclamation of Abdication

On June 24, the temporary government in Paris issued an official statement. This government had been appointed the day before after discussions about recognizing Napoleon II. It consisted of five men: Joseph Fouché, Duke of Otranto; Armand Caulaincourt, Duke of Vicenza; Lazare Carnot; General Paul Grenier; and Nicolas Quinette. The proclamation announced that Napoleon was abdicating for the "peace [of France] and that of the World" in favor of his son, Napoleon II.

Napoleon Leaves Paris for Malmaison

The Château de Malmaison

On June 25, Napoleon left the capital and went to the country Palace of Malmaison, about 15 kilometers (9 miles) east of Paris. From there, he sent a message to the army, encouraging the soldiers to keep fighting.

Napoleon II Removed from Power

On June 26, the government sent a report to the Chambers. It said that the army's situation was better than expected. It promised that the government would be honest about dangers and always stand by the country. On the same day, the government issued a public statement. It explained that laws would now operate "In the name of the French people" instead of in the name of Napoleon II. So, after a reign of just three days, Napoleon II was replaced by the French people.

Napoleon Leaves Malmaison for America

To help Napoleon leave the country, the temporary government asked for a passport and safety guarantees for him and his family to travel to the United States of America. General Blücher ignored the request. Wellington said he had no authority to grant a passport for Napoleon.

The government's representatives then told Napoleon that Wellington and Blücher had refused his request. They explained that he had to leave immediately.

Napoleon almost fell into the hands of the Prussian army while at Malmaison. Blücher heard he was there and sent Major Friedrich August Peter von Colomb on June 28. The Major was to secure a bridge leading directly to the palace. Luckily for Napoleon, Marshal Louis-Nicolas Davout had ordered the bridge destroyed when he learned the Prussians were nearing Paris. So, Major von Colomb was disappointed to find no passage, even though he was very close to the palace where Napoleon still was.

Napoleon finally accepted what he felt was his fate. Once his travel preparations were complete, he got into his carriage around 5:00 PM on June 29. He was joined by Generals Bertrand, Gaspard Gourgaud, and other loyal friends. They took the road to Rochefort, where two French ships were waiting to take him and his group to America.

Captured by the British

Napoleon on the Bellerophon at Plymouth, by Sir Charles Lock Eastlake, 1815. Eastlake made sketches from which he later painted this portrait.

As agreed in the Convention of St. Cloud on July 3, the French Army, led by Marshal Davout, left Paris and marched towards the Loire River. On July 7, the two enemy armies entered Paris. The Chamber of Peers ended its meetings after being informed by the temporary government. The Chamber of Representatives protested, but it was useless. Their President resigned, and the next day, the doors were closed and guarded by foreign troops.

On July 8, the French King, Louis XVIII, returned to his capital. He was cheered by the people and took back his throne. Also that day, Napoleon Bonaparte boarded the French frigate Saale at Rochefort. He was accompanied by the Méduse, carrying his small group. They sailed to an anchorage near the Isle of Aix, planning to sail to America.

On July 10, the wind became favorable, but a British fleet appeared. Napoleon saw that it would be difficult to escape the watchful British ships. After talking with Captain Frederick Lewis Maitland, he decided to place himself under British protection. He boarded HMS Bellerophon on July 15. The next day, Captain Maitland sailed for England, arriving at Torbay with Napoleon on July 24. Despite his protests, Napoleon was not allowed to land in England. The British government had decided to send him to the island of Saint Helena. On July 26, Bellerophon received orders to sail for Plymouth, where it stayed for several days. On August 4, Napoleon was moved to HMS Northumberland, a large warship, under Rear Admiral Sir George Cockburn. On this ship, he sailed to his imprisonment on the remote South Atlantic island. Napoleon remained a captive on Saint Helena until his death in 1821.