The Napoleonic wars became the most important stage in the history of the development of the entire European continent. Russia also did not stand aside from these battles, taking part in the military campaigns of the Third, Fourth and Fifth anti-French coalitions in Prussia and the Baltic States. And later becoming the first country to manage the spirit and bravery of a simple soldier and the military genius of Russian commanders with a powerful enemy army. Actually, the first successful episode of Napoleonic wars for the Russian forces was the Patriotic War of 1812. Briefly about it is known, probably, to each our compatriot. Well, who has not heard of the Battle of Borodino or the retreat of Napoleon from Moscow? Let us dwell in more detail on this page of our history.
The Patriotic War of 1812: briefly on the prerequisites
The course of Napoleonic wars in the first decade was extremely unsuccessful for the opponents of the French emperor. Trafalgar battle, the Battle of Austerlitz, Friedland and a number of other significant victories made Napoleon the ruler of all of Europe. In 1807, as a result of military defeats, Emperor Alexander I had to sign the Treaty of Tilsit, which was humiliating for Russia. His main condition was the promise of the Russians to join the continental blockade of Great Britain. However, this was unprofitable for Russia, both politically and economically. Alexander I treaty was used only for respite and restoration of forces, after which Russia violated the conditions of the continental blockade in 1810. This, as well as the desire of Alexander I to revenge and the return of the territorial possessions lost during the previous battles, are the main causes of the Patriotic War of 1812. Both sides understood the inevitability of the clash as early as 1810. Napoleon actively moved his armies to Poland, creating a springboard there. In turn, the Russian emperor pulled together the main military forces in the western provinces.
The Patriotic War of 1812: briefly about the main events
Napoleon's invasion began on June 12, 1812, when he and his 600,000-strong army crossed the Neman River. Russian troops in the number of 240 thousand people were forced to retreat in front of superior enemy forces. There were only small battles, as, for example, near Polotsk. The first serious battle took place on August 3 in the Smolensk area. The victory went to the French, but the Russians managed to save part of their army. The next battle took place when the Russian armies were ruled by the talented strategist M. Kutuzov. It is about the famous battle of Borodino, which occurred in late August. Competently choosing the geographical location and positional location of troops, the national commander was able to inflict huge losses on the enemy's army. The Battle of Borodino ended late on August 12 with the nominal victory of Napoleon. However, the heavy losses of the French army, coupled with the lack of its support in foreign lands, to no small extent contributed to its retreat from Russia in the future. September 2 Kutuzov was taken, as it turned out, a far-sighted decision to leave the capital, to which Napoleon entered the day later. The latter stayed there until October 7 in anticipation of surrender, or at least the beginning of negotiations with the Russian side. However, the fire in the city, the depletion of reserves in the Napoleonic army and the guerrilla warfare of local peasants forced him to leave the capital. Since mid-November, the war has taken a different turn. Now the hungry and exhausted French army is leaving Russia on a ruined path, and mobile Russian units are actively destroying it in skirmishes. The final rout was on November 14-16 near the Berezina River. Only 30,000 Napoleonic soldiers left Russia.
The Patriotic War of 1812: a summary of the results
The war had a major influence on Russian history. The results of the Patriotic War of 1812 are contradictory. On the one hand, it caused enormous damage to the domestic economy, infrastructure and human potential. On the other hand, it was already in January, 1813, that Russia began the foreign campaign of Russian troops, which ended with the destruction of the French Empire and the restoration of the Bourbons in it. This leads, in fact, to the restoration of reactionary regimes also throughout the continent. An important influence was also placed on the internal socio-economic and cultural processes in Russia. So, the officers who visited Europe formed the backbone of the democratic movements in the country, which led to the 1825 Decembrist uprising .