OPPapers.com Essay Index >> History Other >> Napoleon'S Defeat
We have many free term papers and essays on Napoleon'S Defeat. We also have a wide variety of research papers and book reports available to you for free. You can browse our collection of term papers or use our search engine.
Submitted by oppapers on November 25, 2000
Category: History Other
Words: 1111 | Pages: 5
Views: 746
Popularity Rank: 12,845
Average Member Grade: N/A (Add a Comment / Grade this Paper)
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 instantly 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 assassinated if he tried so." pg 256, The Campaign of 1812 in Russia
General Clausewitz said, "Napoleon believed if he defeated the Russian Army and occupied Moscow, the Russian leadership will fall apart and the government would call for peace." pg 253, The Campaign of 1812 in Russia Brett James also agreed that Napoleon's occupation had no result. " The occupation of Napoleon in Moscow did not have a effect on the government." Pg 13, 1812 Napoleon's Defeat in Russia
...
You must Login to view the entire paper.
If you are not a member yet, Sign Up for free!