Chapter 23: Russian Campaign Flashcards
By 1810, why was Tzar Alexander I tiring of N & the empire?
Constraints bc of alliance, continental system & Brit blockade
1810- N marries Austrian Marie-Louise instead of Russian princess
Concern for N Poland ambitions
N not helping with russian conquering campaigns
What action did the Tzar take to cut ties with N?
32 Dec 1810 broke N trade embargo
Allowed neutral ships (carrying Brit goods) into Russian ports
Where did N get forced to attack Russia?
Why from here?
Poland
On Tzar’s western frontier
Who did the Tzar ally with in march 1812?
Sweden
When did N begin his invasion?
What was the name of his army?
June 1812
Grande armée
How did the Russian invasion become a lengthy campaign?
Russia withdraws instead of engaging
Scorched earth policy (villages, towns, crops, livestock)
Why did N not prepare for a long campaign?
Hoped for a decisive battle within weeks
How was N unprepared for a lengthy campaign?
4 days rations
Poor maps
Limited med supplies
Inadequate clothing for winter
Relied on insufficient lengthy supply lines
Size of army slowed him down
Recruits from empire undisciplined
What usual tactics were useless to N?
Speed
Manoeuvrability
Surprise
What did N unpreparedness cause?
Death from hunger, cold & sickness
When was N finally able to battle?
Where?
Who won?
Sep 1812
Outside Boradino
Napoleon
Why was the Austrian army not completely defeated after the battle at Boradino?
Lost 40,000, french 28,000 but army not broken yet
Continue to withdraw
Where did N advance to after the battle at Boradino?
What did he find?
What do the french do instead?
When is this ended?
Moscow (not capital but most prestigious)
Nothing, it was deserted
Loot
City set alight
Why was N forced to retreat after Moscow?
How was the retreat disastrous?
Russians refused to sue for peace
Frostbite, starvation & harassment form Russian peasant forces ensued
When does N abandon his retreating forces?
Why?
What feeling does this leave along the Grande Armée?
Dec 1812
Threat of Malet overthrow in Paris
Disgruntled
