russian campign new Flashcards
(31 cards)
Overview - Army of 450 thousand
Napoleon’s Grand Army consisted of approximately 450,000 men for the Russian campaign
Overview - Treaty of Tilsit
1807 treaty between Napoleon and Tsar Alexander I that established an alliance between France (dominating mainland Europe) and Russia (dominance in eastern Europe).
Overview - Why did the Treaty of Tilsit alliance break down?
Neither side fully trusted the other; friction over Napoleon’s annexation of the Duchy of Oldenburg in 1810 (Alexander’s brother-in-law).
Overview - Other reasons why the Treaty of Tilsit broke down?
Napoleon was annoyed by Russia’s lack of support during the Austrian War of 1809; Tsar Alexander was annoyed by Napoleon marrying an Austrian princess (after previously considering Alexander’s sister).
Overview - Continental System disagreement
Russia resented the Continental System that Napoleon insisted on enforcing
Overview - Russia’s trade tariff
In 1810 Tsar Alexander I introduced a new trade tariff discriminating against France and favoring Britain.
Overview - What did Napoleon do in response to Russian trade policies?
Decided to invade Russia in the summer of 1812 to enforce French dominance.
The Russian Campaign - Napoleon’s plan
Napoleon hoped to force a quick decisive battle by a rapid advance into Russia
The Russian Campaign - rations and supplies
Napoleon gave his soldiers only four days of rations inadequate maps, summer clothing, and insufficient medical supplies.
The Russian Campaign - Russian tactics
Russian forces consistently retreated avoiding major battles and adopting a scorched earth policy to deprive the French army of supplies.
The Russian Campaign - Borodino
On 7 September 1812, Napoleon defeated the Russians at Borodino, but it was not a decisive victory.
The Russian Campaign - Entering Moscow
14 September 1812 Napoleon’s forces entered Moscow, but the city was largely abandoned and burned
The Russian Campaign - casualties
By the time they reached Moscow approximately 60,000 of Napoleon’s men had died
The Russian Campaign - refusal to negotiate
Russia refused to negotiate peace after the capture of Moscow forcing Napoleon to retreat on 19 October 1812
The Russian Campaign - retreat casualties
By December 1812 only 25,000 of Napoleon’s men survived the retreat back to the Duchy of Warsaw.
The Russian Campaign - Napoleon’s departure
Napoleon abandoned the remnants of his army and fled to Paris to manage the crisis.
The Russian Campaign - significance
Napoleon blamed the failure on the harsh winter but logistical problems and Russian tactics played a major role.
The Russian Campaign - impact on morale
The catastrophic failure in Russia increased belief across Europe that Napoleon’s final defeat was near.
The Russian Campaign - what did it lead to?
Napoleon’s defeat in Russia contributed to the formation of the Fourth Coalition.
The Fourth Coalition - size
323 troops from the coalition faced 200,000 of Napoleon’s men.
The Fourth Coalition - Prussia
Prussia reformed its army and joined the coalition after learning from earlier defeats.
The Fourth Coalition - Fall of Paris
On 30-31 March 1814 allied forces entered Paris, marking the first time since 1792 that enemies had occupied the French capital.
The Fourth Coalition - result
Led to Napoleon’s first abdication.
The Fourth Coalition - Treaty of Chaumont
March 1814: Britain Britain, Austria, Prussia, and Russia agreed not to make separate peace and to fight until Napoleon was defeated.
