In March of 1815, the political landscape of Europe underwent a significant shift with the return of Napoleon Bonaparte from exile on Elba. After Napoleon's abdication in 1814, the Congress of Vienna had convened to create a lasting peace and restore order following years of conflict. However, Napoleon's audacious escape reignited fears of his imperial ambitions and potential destabilization of the delicate balance of power the Congress was attempting to achieve. As news of his return spread, leaders across Europe began to respond, realizing that his presence could endanger the agreements they had worked so hard to lay out.

On March 13, leaders at the Congress of Vienna convened to discuss this urgent matter, decisively declaring Napoleon an outlaw. This declaration was not merely ceremonial; it represented a unified stance among monarchs to confront any future attempts by Napoleon to reclaim his former glory. The Congress requested that member states mobilize forces against Napoleon in the event of further military actions. This declaration galvanized various European nations to prepare for what would be the Hundred Days campaign, igniting the tensions that would ultimately lead to the Battle of Waterloo later that same year.

The Congress of Vienna's decision demonstrated the collaborative efforts of the major powers of Europe to contain the threat posed by Napoleon and reshape the continent's political landscape. The declaration was a clear sign that the restoration of the Bourbon monarchy in France was far from secure, and it also illustrated the extent to which Europe was willing to go to prevent another rise of a dictator. Through diplomacy, alliances, and military readiness, the Congress sought to secure a balance of power that would last for years to come, reshaping European politics and international relations.