Q&A · 3:16:59-3:17:42

Louis Bonaparte's safest choice during the Hundred Days

If the Congress of Vienna kept Louis Bonaparte on the Dutch throne, joining the Allies against his brother would give him the best chance of retaining it.

Question

How should Louis Bonaparte react to the Hundred Days if the Congress of Vienna retained him as king of the Netherlands?

Short answer

He should join the Allies against Napoleon, making preservation of his new throne more likely than renewed Bonapartist loyalty.

Notes

Keeping Louis Bonaparte would place Napoleon's brother on the Dutch throne just before the Hundred Days. The sensible response would be to join the Allied coalition and distance himself from Napoleon. That choice would confirm the Vienna settlement and maximize his chance of retaining the crown. Siding with his brother would instead risk the throne as soon as Napoleon was defeated.