Between 1803 and 1815, almost every European nation was involved in the struggle for dominance of the continent. This would later become known as the Napoleonic Wars. For years, huge armies clashed across Europe with the balance of power shifting from campaign to campaign, but by 1814 the tides turned against Imperial France and Napoleon Bonaparte was sent into exile. In 1815, Napoleon returned to France, seized power and resurrected his Imperial army. Just a few months later, Napoleon led his soldiers into battle for the last time at Waterloo Belgium, where he was defeated.
