Napoleon's exile had profound effects on European politics. Following his abdication in 1814 and subsequent exile to Elba, his return in 1815 for the Hundred Days reign demonstrated the fragility of the political order in Europe. His final defeat at the Battle of Waterloo led to a second exile on Saint Helena. The power vacuum created by his absence allowed for the Congress of Vienna, restoring monarchies and establishing a balance of power to prevent future domination by a single leader. This resulted in a conservative political landscape across Europe, promoting stability but also sowing the seeds for future nationalistic movements.