Join experts Janet Hartley, Michael Rowe, and Michael Rapport as they dissect the chaos of Napoleon's 1812 campaign in Russia. Hartley unveils the complexities of Napoleon's motivations and miscalculations, while Rowe emphasizes the brutal winter conditions and significant casualties during the fateful retreat. Rapport explores the impact of conscription on military manpower and the shifting perception of Napoleon in Europe. Together, they reveal how this catastrophic retreat reshaped alliances and transformed the narrative surrounding one of history's most controversial leaders.
Napoleon's invasion of Russia demonstrated his weaknesses and marked a turning point in his military fortunes.
The resilience and ability to regroup of the Russian army played a significant role in Napoleon's defeat.
The retreat from Moscow took a heavy toll on Napoleon's army, weakening France's military strength and morale.
Deep dives
Napoleon's Retreat from Moscow
In September 1812, Napoleon invaded Russia with a large army, aiming to make the Russians adhere to the Treaty of Tilsit and join the economic blockade against Britain. However, the Russian army refused to surrender, and Napoleon's troops faced severe hardships during their stay in Moscow. With the approach of winter, food and supplies ran low, and the Russian army began their retreat. In the harsh conditions, the French army suffered greatly, losing a significant number of soldiers due to disease, desertion, and the Russian forces' harassment. The retreat had a huge impact on the balance of power in Europe, leading to the Prussians and Austrians siding against Napoleon. Overall, Napoleon's invasion of Russia demonstrated his weaknesses and marked a turning point in his military fortunes.
Size and Composition of the Armies
Napoleon led a massive army of around 450,000 troops into Russia in 1812, with additional reinforcements bringing the total force to over half a million. The army consisted of soldiers from various nationalities, including French, Germans, Poles, Italians, and Spaniards. The Russian army, on the other hand, numbered around 200,000 troops, although additional Russian forces were spread out in other regions. Despite being outnumbered, the Russian army showed cohesion and resilience, and their ability to regroup and continue the fight played a significant role in Napoleon's defeat.
The Battle of Borodino
The Battle of Borodino, fought about 70 kilometers from Moscow, was a bloody and intense battle that resulted in heavy casualties for both the French and Russian armies. The Russian army, positioned in a defensive salient, endured devastating artillery fire from the French forces. The battle was marked by bitter hand-to-hand combat and fighting at key strategic points. The casualties amounted to around 50,000 Russians and 35,000 French. Although the battle was inconclusive, the Russians were able to withdraw in good order, while the French maintained control of the field. The aftermath of the battle set the stage for Napoleon's eventual retreat.
Napoleon's Retreat and the Impact on France
After the failure to conquer Moscow, Napoleon and his army began their retreat, facing harsh weather conditions, disease, and constant harassment from the Russian army and local peasants. The retreat took a significant toll, resulting in the loss of thousands of soldiers and horses. While Napoleon managed to leave the army early and return to Paris, the soldiers faced a grueling journey back to France. The hardships endured during the retreat severely impacted France's military strength and morale. The defeat in Russia further weakened Napoleon's position in Europe and eroded the myth of his invincibility.
Legacy and Mythmaking
Napoleon's retreat from Moscow had profound consequences for Europe and created a lasting myth around his persona. The defeat marked a turning point in his military career and shattered the illusion of his invincibility. Despite the hardships and losses suffered by his army, the legacy of Napoleon continued to captivate people's imaginations. The romanticized image of Napoleon as a heroic leader and his ability to create his own myth through writings and propaganda contributed to his enduring reputation. However, the retreat also fueled nationalistic sentiments in Russia, leading to the rise of the myth of the people's war and substantial changes in Russian society and culture.
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss how, in September 1812, Napoleon captured Moscow and waited a month for the Russians to meet him, to surrender and why, to his dismay, no-one came. Soon his triumph was revealed as a great defeat; winter was coming, supplies were low; he ordered his Grande Armée of six hundred thousand to retreat and, by the time he crossed back over the border, desertion, disease, capture, Cossacks and cold had reduced that to twenty thousand. Napoleon had shown his weakness; his Prussian allies changed sides and, within eighteen months they, the Russians and Austrians had captured Paris and the Emperor was exiled to Elba.
With
Janet Hartley
Professor Emeritus of International History, LSE
Michael Rowe
Reader in European History, King’s College London
And
Michael Rapport
Reader in Modern European History, University of Glasgow
Producer: Simon Tillotson
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