1. Invasion of Russia (1812): Napoleon's disastrous invasion of Russia in 1812 was a turning point in the war. The vastness of Russia, harsh winter conditions, and supply issues led to significant losses for the French army. The retreat from Moscow resulted in the deaths of hundreds of thousands of French soldiers and severely weakened Napoleon's military strength.
2. Formation of Coalitions: European powers, alarmed by Napoleon's conquest and aggressive expansion, formed coalitions against France. These coalitions included Britain, Russia, Austria, Prussia, and other nations. The combined forces of these countries eventually outnumbered and overwhelmed Napoleon's armies.
3. Economic Problems: The Napoleonic Wars placed a strain on France's economy. Constant warfare drained resources, disrupted trade, and led to inflation. Economic difficulties contributed to growing discontent among the French population and undermined support for Napoleon's regime.
4. Guerrilla Warfare: Napoleon faced intense guerrilla warfare in Spain and other occupied territories. Guerrilla tactics employed by local resistance movements caused significant casualties and disrupted French supply lines. This resistance tied down French troops and made it harder for Napoleon to maintain control over conquered territories.
5. Leadership and Military Mistakes: While Napoleon was a brilliant military strategist, he made several critical mistakes in his later campaigns. He underestimated the determination of his opponents, overextended his supply lines, and failed to adequately adapt to changing circumstances.
6. Battle of Waterloo (1815): The final defeat of Napoleon occurred at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815. The combined forces of British, Prussian, and other allied troops under the command of the Duke of Wellington and Gebhard Leberecht von Blücher defeated Napoleon's army. Waterloo marked the end of Napoleon's rule and led to his exile to Saint Helena.
In summary, Napoleon's invasion of Russia, the formation of coalitions, economic problems, guerrilla warfare, leadership mistakes, and the Battle of Waterloo contributed to his ultimate defeat and the loss of the war.