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How did the Battle of Waterloo end the Napoleonic Wars?

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Historical battle map showing troop positions at the Battle of Waterloo on June 18, 1815, near Brussels, Belgium. Red lines represent Anglo-Dutch infantry and cavalry under Wellington, positioned north of French forces. Blue lines show French infantry and cavalry under Napoleon, with both armies facing each other across a central road. Key locations like Chateau de Goumont (Hougoumont) and Plancenoit are labeled, and an inset map highlights the location within present-day Belgium and Europe. — Battle of Waterloo Battle of Waterloo, June 18, 1815.

The Battle of Waterloo, fought on June 18, 1815, served as the decisive conclusion to 23 years of recurrent warfare between France and the other powers of Europe.12

The battle occurred during the Hundred Days, a period following Napoleon’s escape from his first exile. His defeat by the combined forces of the Duke of Wellington and Gebhard Leberecht von Blücher effectively ended his military career and his reign as emperor. Following the loss, Napoleon abdicated and was sent into permanent exile on the island of St. Helena.3124

This final defeat allowed the Congress of Vienna to solidify its efforts to reorganize Europe. By restoring the Bourbon monarchy under Louis XVIII and establishing a new balance of power, the settlement successfully secured a period of relative peace and stability across the continent for the next half-century.456