Napoleon's downfall began with his disastrous invasion of Russia in 1812. After suffering heavy losses, he was forced to retreat, and his army was decimated by the harsh winter conditions. In 1813, a coalition of European powers defeated Napoleon at the Battle of Leipzig, and he was forced to abdicate the throne and go into exile on the island of Elba. In 1815, he made a dramatic return to power, but he was defeated at the Battle of Waterloo and exiled to the remote island of Saint Helena, where he remained until his death in 1821.
