Acte de déchéance de l'Empereur
The French Consulate emerged from the chaos of 18 Brumaire, a military coup executed by General Bonaparte. This event established an equilateral triumvirate under the Constitution of the Year VIII. Two years later, the Constitution shifted to make Bonaparte First Consul for life through the Constitution of the Year X. The Senate passed the Constitution of the Year XII on the 18th of May 1804, creating the office of Emperor. Napoleon crowned himself Napoléon I, Emperor of the French, on the 2nd of December 1804. This inauguration marked the beginning of the First French Empire and consolidated his absolute authority over the nation.
Disasters in Russia and Spain stripped the Grande Armée of its overwhelming strength. By February 1814, the French Army remained so depleted that it could not halt the Allied advance. Even victories during the Six Days' Campaign failed to stop the march toward Paris. The Allies reached the outskirts of Paris in late March 1814. Their route directly targeted the capital while the French defenses crumbled around them. Chronic political instability and constant warfare had created a favorable terrain for this final collapse.
Charles Maurice de Talleyrand maneuvered to negotiate the capitulation of Marshal Marmont, who defended the capital. On the 31st of March, Talleyrand dined at his hotel with Frederick William III of Prussia and Alexander I of Russia. He pleaded for a Bourbon restoration, arguing that the Senate would support the plan. This dinner set the stage for the political transition that followed. Talleyrand positioned himself as the key negotiator between the invading forces and the French government.
On the 1st of April 1814, the Sénat conservateur elected Talleyrand chief of a five-member provisional government. The next morning, Talleyrand and Barthélemy proposed a motion to depose Napoleon and the House of Bonaparte. They called for the Count of Provence to take the throne as King Louis XVIII. On the 3rd of April, the Senate voted on text detailing its reasons for ousting Napoleon. The minutes of the meeting appeared in Le Moniteur Universel on the 4th of April. The Senate charged the emperor with numerous violations of the Constitution of the Year XII.
Napoleon abdicated unconditionally on the 11th of April after attempting to place his son on the throne. The Allies allowed him to keep his title of Emperor but exiled him to Elba. The Act declared Napoleon cast down from the throne and abolished succession rights in his family. It absolved the French people and army from their oath of fidelity to him. The decree was transmitted to departments and armies for immediate proclamation across all quarters of the capital.
Napoleon attempted to return to power on the 26th of February 1815, leading to the Hundred Days campaign. He was defeated at the Battle of Waterloo and imprisoned on the remote rock of Saint Helena for life. In the following years, the Act served as a litmus test of allegiance to the House of Bourbon. This political instrument determined loyalty during the subsequent restoration period. The law remained a central reference point for those navigating the shifting tides of French politics.
Common questions
When did Napoleon I become Emperor of the French?
Napoleon crowned himself Napoléon I, Emperor of the French on the 2nd of December 1804. This inauguration marked the beginning of the First French Empire and consolidated his absolute authority over the nation.
What date was the Acte de déchéance de l'Empereur signed by Napoleon?
Napoleon abdicated unconditionally on the 11th of April after attempting to place his son on the throne. The Allies allowed him to keep his title of Emperor but exiled him to Elba.
Who negotiated the capitulation of Marshal Marmont during the fall of Paris in 1814?
Charles Maurice de Talleyrand maneuvered to negotiate the capitulation of Marshal Marmont who defended the capital. On the 31st of March Talleyrand dined at his hotel with Frederick William III of Prussia and Alexander I of Russia.
Which body voted to depose Napoleon and restore the House of Bourbon in 1814?
On the 1st of April 1814 the Sénat conservateur elected Talleyrand chief of a five-member provisional government. On the 3rd of April the Senate voted on text detailing its reasons for ousting Napoleon.
Where did Napoleon spend the rest of his life after being defeated at Waterloo?
He was defeated at the Battle of Waterloo and imprisoned on the remote rock of Saint Helena for life. This event followed his attempt to return to power on the 26th of February 1815 leading to the Hundred Days campaign.