By Scott Davis

Prior to the 1812 invasion of Russia, Napoleon’s empire was at its height Prior to the 1812 invasion of Russia, Napoleon’s empire was at its height Defeated Nations Defeated Nations Austria Austria Prussia Prussia Russia Russia

In 1807 after being defeated at the battle of Austerlitz and then Friedland, Russia signed the Treaty of Tilsit In 1807 after being defeated at the battle of Austerlitz and then Friedland, Russia signed the Treaty of Tilsit Poland (Duchy of Warsaw) is born as a French protectorate Poland (Duchy of Warsaw) is born as a French protectorate Russia becomes a French “ally” Russia becomes a French “ally” Prussia is stripped of half its land Prussia is stripped of half its land Continental System (blockade) Continental System (blockade) A ban of all trade with Britain A ban of all trade with Britain Russia was very lax on enforcing throughout the Russian Empire Russia was very lax on enforcing throughout the Russian Empire It appeared as though Russia was preparing to invade Poland It appeared as though Russia was preparing to invade Poland

In 1812 Napoleon made the decision to invade Russia with over 690,000 men In 1812 Napoleon made the decision to invade Russia with over 690,000 men Soldiers were from throughout Europe in areas under French control (many Germans and Poles) Soldiers were from throughout Europe in areas under French control (many Germans and Poles) Napoleon called the war “The Second Polish War” Napoleon called the war “The Second Polish War” Typical French tactics of invasion was foraging Typical French tactics of invasion was foraging Allowed incredible speed and gave an advantage to the French over the old armies of Prussia and Austria Allowed incredible speed and gave an advantage to the French over the old armies of Prussia and Austria BACKGROUND INFORMATION

During the invasion the Russians army never directly faces the French military During the invasion the Russians army never directly faces the French military Using scorched Earth tactics, the Russians began to starve the French forces of supplies Using scorched Earth tactics, the Russians began to starve the French forces of supplies The Russians finally engaged the French in battle at the battle of Borodino The Russians finally engaged the French in battle at the battle of Borodino Single bloodiest day of the Napoleonic wars Single bloodiest day of the Napoleonic wars In September 14, 1812 Napoleon entered the empty city Moscow In September 14, 1812 Napoleon entered the empty city Moscow While in the city, a fire began that is estimated to have burned 4/5 of Moscow While in the city, a fire began that is estimated to have burned 4/5 of Moscow By the time Napoleon’s army leaves Moscow, only a little over 100,000 soldiers remained By the time Napoleon’s army leaves Moscow, only a little over 100,000 soldiers remained Most had died or deserted Most had died or deserted

 Napoleon expected Russia to surrender once Moscow had been captured  They didn’t  At the Battle of Maloyaroslavets the Russian general Kutozov forced the Grand Army into taking the path they had taken to Moscow  The path had already bee sapped off all supplies

Kutosov shadowed the French army and ensured it be unable to take a different route Kutosov shadowed the French army and ensured it be unable to take a different route Russian light cavalry (cossacks) would pester French supply lines and army Russian light cavalry (cossacks) would pester French supply lines and army Most of the French horses died from exhaustion, freezing, or were killed to be eaten Most of the French horses died from exhaustion, freezing, or were killed to be eaten French tactic of foraging now became its weakness French tactic of foraging now became its weakness

The French army withered further as it marched The French army withered further as it marched Contingents of the army were horribly defeated at the crossing of the river Berezina Contingents of the army were horribly defeated at the crossing of the river Berezina A strong sense of helplessness obsessed Napoleon and his marshals A strong sense of helplessness obsessed Napoleon and his marshals When Napoleon learns of an attempted coup d'état he is forced to abandon his army on a sled When Napoleon learns of an attempted coup d'état he is forced to abandon his army on a sled

Napoleon’s once Grand Army returns to Poland Napoleon’s once Grand Army returns to Poland It is estimated that more then 380,000 of his men had been killed It is estimated that more then 380,000 of his men had been killed An additional 100,000 were prisoners to the Russians An additional 100,000 were prisoners to the Russians Popular myth is that only about 30,000 soldiers returned Popular myth is that only about 30,000 soldiers returned About 80,000 soldiers that returned were part of contingent forces and not under Napoleon’s direct command About 80,000 soldiers that returned were part of contingent forces and not under Napoleon’s direct command Civilian casualties Civilian casualties Approx one million killed between the French and Russians Approx one million killed between the French and Russians Russian military dead total to about 210,000 men Russian military dead total to about 210,000 men Casualties among other nations in the Grand Army Casualties among other nations in the Grand Army Poland – 70,000 Poland – 70,000 German states – 80,000 German states – 80,000 Italians – 50,000 Italians – 50,000

French reliance on foraging for supplies French reliance on foraging for supplies The harsh Russian winter (mainly in the retreat) The harsh Russian winter (mainly in the retreat) Russian scorched Earth tactics Russian scorched Earth tactics Low population density of Russia Low population density of Russia Low agricultural density Low agricultural density Most of the French losses in the invasion were from desertion Most of the French losses in the invasion were from desertion

The demise of the Grand Armee left Napoleons empire militarily weak The demise of the Grand Armee left Napoleons empire militarily weak Prussia and Austria (forced allies) betrayed France and joined a coalition Prussia and Austria (forced allies) betrayed France and joined a coalition War would become the war of the sixth coalition War would become the war of the sixth coalition From the Russian invasion and after, Napoleon’s empire would decline From the Russian invasion and after, Napoleon’s empire would decline No longer had the manpower necessary to fight the empires of Europe No longer had the manpower necessary to fight the empires of Europe