Why Did Napoleon Invade Russia

Napoleon invaded Russia on 22 June,1812 with the intent of inflicting a high level of damage to the Russian Army, as well as to Russia’s land and people. Without established goals within the campaign, this was a massive change from Napoleon’s typical planning and strategies. Simply, The Grand Army of France would fight whomever and where ever they could until they received the Russians surrender. Napoleon believed that the Russian Czar Alexander I would come to the negotiating table quickly and surrender Russia to him in order to stop the carnage and destruction. Napoleon had lost campaigns in Russia before and felt this change in strategy would guarantee him victory. The Russians, however, had their own plan to counter Napoleon’s and implemented it perfectly to defeat him. The plan worked so well, that even while retreating the Russians continuously attacked the French constantly producing more casualties. Napoleon’s lack of a sound strategy and the proper counter strategy by the Russian forces are the reasons why Napoleon’s campaign in Russia was a complete failure. By the end of 1811, Napoleon was intent on attacking Russia with his Grande Armee (Grand Army). Knowing the distance his army would travel and

The following day, the citizens of Moscow set the city on fire instead of allowing Napoleon to have it. Worried that the Czar would think that he did it, Napoleon sent a cable to him explaining that he hadn’t along with acceptable terms of the Russian surrender. Again, all cables sent to the Czar went without a reply. Napoleon had captured the city that was the cultural heart of Russia, and yet the Czar said nothing. He had beaten the Russians, though at a heavy cost to himself, and left small villages and towns in ruins along his path to Moscow. Yet, Alexander I wouldn’t give Napoleon a