The Defeat Of Napoleon In Russia

The Defeat of Napoleon in Russia

The Campaign of 1812 should have been a another crusade for
Napoleon, but he now faced 2 new policies that he had never faced
before, the severe Russian winter and the notorious scorched-earth
policy. On June 23, 1812 Napoleon's Grande Armee, over 500,000 men
strong, poured over the Russian border. An equal amount of Russian
forces awaited them. The result of the campaign was a surprise. Two
authors, General carl von Clausewitz and Brett James, show
similarities in reasons why Napoleon had lost this campaign to Russia.
Napoleon believed that after a few quick victorious battles, he could
convince Alexander to return to the Continental System. He also
decided that if he occupied Moscow, the Russian government would
crumple and ask for peace. " A single blow delivered at the heart of
the Russian Empire, at Moscow the Great, at Moscow the Holy, will
ineztly put this whole blind, apathetic mass at my mercy." pg 6,
1812 Napoleon's Defeat in Russia.
This was his belief he expressed in March 1812. However, when
Napoleon eventually took over Moscow, the Tsar still did not
surrender. Napoleon, sent a message to the Tsar, demanding a immediate
surrender. However, the Tsar could not surrender because if he did, he
would be assassinated by the nobles. Clausewitz replies by saying, "
Napoleon was unable to grasp the fact that Alexander would not, could
not negotiate. The Tsar knew well that he would be disposed and
assassi...

The Defeat Of Napoleon In Russia

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