Although Russia was a tentative ally, Napoleon still saw it as the only thing keeping him from complete control over central Europe. The Russian liberals wanted to keep peace with the French to reform through enlightenment ideas, but they were denied. When the Tsar Alexander I broke the treaty of Tilsit in 1811 by trading with the British, Napoleon made the fatal mistake of many throughout history and decided to invade Russian. He sent his massive “Grand Army” of 600,000 men to march toward Moscow. The Russians, realizing the had no chance against the mighty French, retreated without fighting. Napoleon had publicly predicted that the war would be over within 20 days, but he had not expected the Russians to avoid battle.This proved to be the devastating for the Napoleon, because, while retreating, the people burned their crops and destroyed their resources, crippling the Grand Army. They marched steadily on but continued to lose soldiers to disease, malnutrition, and desertion. Finally, at Borodino, the Russians halted their retreat and fought. The Russian people had a patriotic and religious vigor that Napoleon’s troops, of whom most had been gathered from Napoleon’s territories, not France, could not match. They chanted before the battle, “Tis the will of God, tis the will of God.”, unwavering and ready to give their lives for their country. After a long battle, the Russians withdrew, leaving Napoleon claiming to be the victor. However there were heavy casualties and the Grand Army had been severely weakened. When they finally reached Moscow, they found it empty and then set ablaze. While Napoleon hesitated for a few weeks hoping he could still achieve victory, it was apparent that he had been defeated and that he must retreat. Worse yet, they began their retreat as the brutal Russian winter began. Devoid of resources, ravaged by the cold, and under constant attack by Russian Guerrillas, the retreat too became a disaster, and nearly all of the once grand army had been destroyed. Choosing to invade Russia had been one of Napoleon’s worst decisions, as it gave new life to Russia and the nations around it.
Main Points:
- The Spanish Ulcer may have weakened the French and opened the door for further insurrection, but the Russian Invasion was the true turning point for Napoleon
- His former alliance with Tsar Alexander I was broken when Alexander broke the treaty of Tilsit
- Napoleon's Grand Army of 600,000 men marched into Russia expecting a fight but instead the people retreating, destroying their resources
- Despite only one true battle, the army was decimated by the time they reached Moscow, only to find it empty and burning
- Realizing his defeat, but perhaps too late, Napoleon retreated only to be met the harsh Russian winter and constant small attacks by guerrillas on their retreat back to French territory
- The invasion and retreat were a disaster, as they destroyed Napoleon's largest Army and opened the door for the rest of his conquered lands to fight back
Napoleon's Errors:
- Napoleon once again was blinded by his pride, as he predicted to defeat Russia within 20 days. Instead he was surprised to see a lack of resistance, and he was forced to undertake a long brutal march to Moscow, devoid of critical resources.
- The Russian people's religious and patriotic conviction was unmatched by the French army, which was in fact made up mostly of conquered foreign armies who were much less dedicated to Napoleon's cause than the French. With the Russians fighting for God and for country, and the French army discouraged and suffering from hunger, disease, and desertion, the Russians clearly had the upper hand.
- Since Napoleon was not expecting a lengthy conflict he failed to factor in the harsh climate of Russia, whether it be the harsh sun of the Russian summer or the brutal Russian winter. This, along with a lack of resources from miscalculation and from the efforts of the people, culminated in disaster for Napoleon.