Napoleon Bonaparte, born in Corsica in 1769, rose from artillery officer to Emperor of France. He led successful military campaigns across Europe, becoming the continent's dominant ruler. Napoleon implemented domestic reforms, including codifying French law. His invasion of Russia in 1812 marked the beginning of his downfall. Forced to abdicate in 1814, he briefly returned to power in 1815 before his final defeat at Waterloo. Exiled to St. Helena, Napoleon died in 1821, leaving a lasting impact on European history.

Napoleon was born in Ajaccio, Corsica in 1769. He received a free military education in France. In 1785, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant of artillery. Napoleon became the commander of the artillery at the Siege of Toulon in 1792. In 1795, he was instrumental in putting down the counter-revolution in Paris. In 1796, he was appointed commander of the army of Italy. In Italy, he led the French armies to a decisive victory over the Austrians. Napoleon was placed in charge of the French army of England, but realizing the impossibility of invading England, he instead captured Malta and went on to capture Egypt. His forces were stopped at the Ottoman fortress at Acre. Napoleon returned to France. In August 1799, Napoleon participated in a revolution that placed him as the First Consul of France. Napoleon's first efforts were directed towards strengthening France internally. He codified French law for the first time. He then went on to defeat the Austrians on the battlefield. In 1801 and 1802, Napoleon negotiated peace agreements with his adversaries. In 1804, Napoleon was crowned Emperor for life. In 1805, Napoleon once again engaged in war with Austria, Russia, and England. At the end of 1805, Napoleon decisively defeated the Austrians and Russians, leaving him free to enter Vienna. Napoleon was the undisputed ruler of Europe.

In 1808, Wellington led a British army that landed in Portugal, beginning the Peninsular War that would occupy much of the French army until 1813, when the French army was defeated and forced out of Spain. Napoleon's tactic for defeating England was the Continental System that closed continental ports to the English. When the Russians opened their ports to neutral shipping, thus violating the system, Napoleon attacked Russia. He managed to lead his armies all the way to Moscow. The Russian army merely fell back, leaving little food for Napoleon's army to forage from. Napoleon was forced to withdraw from Moscow. By the time his armies returned to the Volga River, only 20% of the army remained.

Napoleon's defeat in Russia spurred his rivals to assault France. His forces were defeated in a series of battles, and on March 30th, 1814, Paris was taken. On April 11th, Napoleon was forced to abdicate. He was given sovereignty of Elba and a grant from the French government. The new French government, led by a restored Bourbon monarchy, proved unpopular, and Napoleon attempted a comeback. On March 1, 1815, he landed on the French coast, and then on the 20th, he entered Paris, beginning his "Hundred Days." The other European countries soon mobilized a force to battle Napoleon. Napoleon was defeated at the Battle of Waterloo. On June 22, he surrendered to the British and was banished to the island of St. Helena, where he died on May 5th, 1821.