The Invasion of Russia Napoleon’s most disastrous mistake of all came
in 1812. Even though Alexander I had become Napoleon’s ally, the Russian czar refused to stop selling grain to Britain. In addition, the French
and Russian rulers suspected each other of having competing designs on
Poland. Because of this breakdown in their alliance, Napoleon decided to
invade Russia.
In June 1812, Napoleon and his Grand Army of more than 420,000
soldiers marched into Russia. As Napoleon advanced, Alexander pulled
back his troops, refusing to be lured into an unequal battle. On this
retreat, the Russians practiced a scorched-earth policy. This involved
burning grain fields and slaughtering livestock so as to leave nothing for
the enemy to eat.
On September 7, 1812, the two armies finally clashed in the Battle of
Borodino. After several hours of indecisive fighting, the Russians fell back,
allowing Napoleon to move on Moscow. When Napoleon entered Moscow
seven days later, the city was in flames. Rather than surrender Russia’s
“holy city” to the French, Alexander had destroyed it. Napoleon stayed in
the ruined city until the middle of October, when he decided to turn back
toward France.
The Invasion of Russia
Why did Napoleon and his 420,000 soldiers march into Russia?
Why did Alexander I pull back his troops?
What is scorched-earth policy?
What happened in June 1812?
How many soldiers were left to fight when Napoleon and his army retreated back to France?
Napoleon's Downfall
Napoleon Suffers defeat
King Freerick William III of Prussia and Czar Alexander I of Russia did what in the French Capital?
What did Napoleon do in April of 1814?
WHere was Napoleon exiled to?
The Hundred Days
Who assumed the throne?
Why did he become unpopular among his subjects?
On march 1,1815,what did Napoleon do?
At Waterloo,what 2 armies did Napoleon go to war against?
Where was Napoleon shipped to where he lived lonely in exile for 6 years?
What was said to be the cause of death for Napoleon?
Napoleon's defeat opened the door for what in freed European countries?
- Napoleon and his 420,000 soldiers marched into Russia because of a breakdown in their alliance and suspicions of competing designs on Poland.
- Alexander I pulled back his troops to avoid being lured into an unequal battle.
- Scorched-earth policy involved burning grain fields and slaughtering livestock to leave nothing for the enemy to eat.
- In June 1812, the Battle of Borodino took place.
- When Napoleon and his army retreated back to France, only a fraction of the soldiers were left to fight.
- King Frederick William III of Prussia and Czar Alexander I of Russia entered the French capital.
- In April 1814, Napoleon abdicated the throne and was exiled to the island of Elba.
- During the Hundred Days, Napoleon assumed the throne again and became unpopular among his subjects.
- On March 1, 1815, Napoleon escaped from Elba and returned to France.
- At Waterloo, Napoleon went to war against the British and Prussian armies.
- After his defeat at Waterloo, Napoleon was shipped to the island of St. Helena where he lived lonely in exile for 6 years.
- The cause of death for Napoleon was believed to be stomach cancer.
- Napoleon's defeat opened the door for freedom in European countries.