What were the Hundred Days?

   Hundred Days is a term applied to the period from Napoleon's return from the isle of Elba in March, 1815, to his abdication after Waterloo, June 22. 1815. The Bourbon monarchy under the restored Louis XVIII was becoming unpopular; the soldiers accustomed to promotion for merit, were dissatisfied at seeing refugee nobles put over them; Napoleon himself chafed at the narrow limits of his island. Accordingly, escaping from Elba, he crossed to the mainland and advanced toward Paris. Soldiers drawn up to oppose him deserted and went over to his standard. His march was a triumphal procession. Louis XVIII fled across the border, and Napoleon resumed the reins of empire, promising liberal government to France and a peaceable attitude toward foreign powers. The Allies refused to negotiate with him and immediately raised armies to go against him. Then came the campaign ending in the battle of Waterloo, and his decisive defeat, June 18, 1815. The empire was overthrown and on June 22, Napoleon abdicated.