Final answer:
The loyalty of Napoleon's troops did not contribute to the collapse of the Napoleonic Empire; instead, military losses, strategic errors, and refusal of peace significantly weakened his rule and led to his downfall.
Step-by-step explanation:
Which of the following did not contribute to the collapse of the Napoleonic Empire? The answer is E) The loyalty that the troops had for Napoleon. Despite facing numerous challenges, loyalty among Napoleon's troops remained relatively steadfast and so did not directly contribute to the empire's collapse. Events that did contribute include A) The resounding Russian victory at Borodino, B) Napoleon's refusal of an Austrian offer of peace, C) Military defeat in Spain, and D) The Battle of Nations in October 1813.
Throughout Napoleon's campaigns, his soldiers displayed a significant degree of loyalty, which was particularly demonstrated during their arduous retreat from Russia in the winter of 1812 and their subsequent defense of France against the coalition forces. The collapse was a result of multiple military defeats, strategic miscalculations, and the replenished forces of the coalition against him.
The costly invasion of Russia decimated Napoleon's Grande Armée, and the strategic error at Borodino allowed the remaining Russian forces to live to fight another day. The Battle of Nations significantly contributed to Napoleon's downfall by further weakening his forces, leading to the eventual chase to Paris and his abdication. Moreover, political pressures compounded military defeats; Napoleon's refusal to accept peace from the Austrians eliminated an opportunity to potentially consolidate what power he still had.