Russian Campaign Flashcards
When did Tsar Alexander I leave continental system ?
31st December 1810
Why did Tsar Alexander turn against Napoleon
- Napoleon married Marie-Louise of Austria rather than Russian princess
- continental system proving detrimental to Russia
- Russia feared Napoleon’s ambitions for Poland (seized by Russia 1793-5)
When did Tsar ally with Sweden
March 1812
When did Napoleon begin his invasion of Russia?
June 1812
Marched through Duchy of Warsaw
What opportunity did Napoleon not take advantage of?
If Napoleon had been driven by the reforming principles he claimed he would have taken advantage of the anti-Russian Lithuanians from former Lithuania to win them over to fight alongside France
What tactics did Russia use to weaken the french army?
Withdrawal - retreated drawing France into Russia
Scorched Earth Policy - burnt crops / villages so France could not live off the land
Weaknesses of Napoloeans army during Russian campaign
- only prepared 4 days worth of food rations, many faced starvation
- Napoleon did not anticipate the length of the campaign (he thought it would last maximum 9 weeks), troops had inadequate clothing for winter and lacked medical supplies
- force was less willing and disciplined as it was conscripted men from empire
Battle of Borodino
7th September 1812
10 hour battle, loss of 40,000 Russian troops
Victory for french however Russians retreated and did not surrender
When did Napoleon enter Moscow ?
14th September 1812
What state did Napoleon find Moscow in?
Deserted
Russian governor had set it on fire to prevent french looting
When did Napoleon withdraw from Russia?
Why ?
19th October 1812
Tsar Alexander did not arrive to make peace terms as Napoleon had anticipated
180,000 survivors of grand armee retreated
What happened to the withdrawing french army from Moscow?
How many remained?
November 1812
Faced disease and starvation
Faced harassment from Cossack and peasant bands
By winter only 24,000 remained
When did Napoleon abandon the army?
5th - 6th December 1812
Why did Napoleon abandon the army
Heard of the Malet plot in Paris to overthrow him
He pledged to raise more troops but the army was disintegrated
How many soldiers of the grande armée returned back from the Russian campaign?
10,000 / 650,000
Only 1000 fit for military service
Result of Russian campaign
Weakened Napoleons psoriom
Lost his grand armée
4th coalition formed
