French invasion of Russia

French soldiers in Russia

The French Invasion of Russia in 1812, also known as the Russian Campaign in France[1] (French: Campagne de Russie) and the Patriotic War of 1812 in Russia (Russian: Отечественная война 1812 года), was Napoleon I leading the French Empire to invade Russia. That was the turning point during the Napoleonic Wars, because it was the first major defeat for Napoleon.

It greatly reduced the French and allied invasion forces (the Grande Armée).[2] It started a major change in European politics by greatly weakened the French power over Europe. French allies, at first Prussia and then Austria, broke their alliance with France. They fought France instead, which started the War of the Sixth Coalition.[3]

References[change | change source]

  1. Boudon Jacques-Olivier, Napoléon et la campagne de Russie: 1812, Armand Colin, 2012.
  2. Why The #1 Fact Of Military History Is A Lie - Hilarious Helmet History at YouTube
  3. Fierro; Palluel-Guillard; Tulard, p. 159-161

Other websites[change | change source]