With the Mess in Spain finally resolved thing were looking up. The only party that was not altogether happy was Great Britain. True the French had left Spain but Napoleon had outwitted them by getting out he had freed his forces and had turned Spain from an enemy into a party that would be out of the war. Needless to say the Spanish King invited the British to vacate his country as quick as possible. Re remembered that Britain had tried to invade Spain's Latin American colonies twice.
Alternate Napoleon Invasion of Russia
- Thread starter chris N
- Start date
Sweden is deep in the pooh at this point, Not only have they just instantly wrecked their export economy by crossing Britain, but the RN has most of their army trapped in Finland while Wellington is free with his whole army to land on them. I guess Bernadotte has been into the lead paint again. I wonder who the British will propose as his replacement to Charles XIII
It depends upon how willing London is to make another enemy. Remember Sweden is only recovering what was Swedish for a period of time. It has also not joined the Continental Blockade of Great Britain. So the odds are that the British will not be planning on spending the fall and winter vacationing in Sweden. Indeed the British are probably marching back to Portugal before the Spanish King starts to believe that the British now have eyes on his throne.
Napoleon was going to make a thrust toward St Petersburg as part of an effort to reassure the Swedish government that France was doing its part. Napoleon did not believe that it was successful but who knew. The People of the Imperial capital might be frighten enough to surrender fearing that they would be attacked by both sides.
Napoleon fully intended that by the end of August all of thee Imperial Army would be heading toward winter quarters.
Napoleon fully intended that by the end of August all of thee Imperial Army would be heading toward winter quarters.
The people of St Petersburg were in a Panic. Napoleon was approaching from the south and the Swedish Army was approaching from the Northwest Napoleon did not believe that the city could fall in the time remaining unless the cities defenders were lead to believe that the situation was hopeless. All the emperor hoped was that this would further weaken the Czar.
The French and Swedes has scared the government in St petersburg and pressure was put on Alexander to reach a settlement with both countries. While some of the French Emperor's troops had gotten as close at 24 miles from the city Napoleon had not tried to make an all out effort. The threat from both powers was enough to destabilize the Czar.
With the end of August the Emperor's forces withdrew to bases further from the Russian Capital where they might be better able to withstand the Russian winter.
Napoleon had encourage the Estonians and Latvians as well as the Lithuanians to freedom from Russia.
With the end of August the Emperor's forces withdrew to bases further from the Russian Capital where they might be better able to withstand the Russian winter.
Napoleon had encourage the Estonians and Latvians as well as the Lithuanians to freedom from Russia.
Napoleon and the Swedish forces had scared the living daylights out of the people of St Petersburg. Napoleon let his Swedish Ally know that the French would be pulling back so as to be totally prepared for the rough eastern winter.
The French Emperor had finally convinced the Baltic people that he had no desire to rule them but that he would allow them to rule themselves. Freedom after centuries of Russian rule was all too new an idea. But it was one that caught on. Using captured weapons the Emperor set about to create an Estonian Legion as well as a Latvian one. These would be the people to defend their country.
The campaign of 1812 was nearly over. Alexander was beside himself. Napoleon had not done anything which his advisers had said he would.He had lost Finland and now the Baltic states. Poland was now larger and a Kingdom. Nothing had gone the way it was suppose to.
The French Emperor had finally convinced the Baltic people that he had no desire to rule them but that he would allow them to rule themselves. Freedom after centuries of Russian rule was all too new an idea. But it was one that caught on. Using captured weapons the Emperor set about to create an Estonian Legion as well as a Latvian one. These would be the people to defend their country.
The campaign of 1812 was nearly over. Alexander was beside himself. Napoleon had not done anything which his advisers had said he would.He had lost Finland and now the Baltic states. Poland was now larger and a Kingdom. Nothing had gone the way it was suppose to.
Napoleon had now gone on the defensive as he had the Grand Army prepared to face the winter. The depots were well supplied and the army was prepared to face a winter. The Estonians,Latvians and Lithuanians had begun to feel the call of nationalism. The more fractured Alexanders Russian Empire the weaker that he would become. Napoleon's spies in St Petersburg were well aware that Alexander's moves had made him quite unpopular with the people of the Imperial Capital.
While the Swedish and French Armies had pulled back there was always the fear that they would suddenly appear After all it was only the start of September.
The British government had protested Sweden's attack on Russia but the Swedish Foreign Ministry's reply was that Sweden was only recovering what had belonged to Sweden
While the Swedish and French Armies had pulled back there was always the fear that they would suddenly appear After all it was only the start of September.
The British government had protested Sweden's attack on Russia but the Swedish Foreign Ministry's reply was that Sweden was only recovering what had belonged to Sweden
The Emperor returned to Paris with the end of the 1812 Campaign Season. A good portion of the Grand Armee also was allowed to return to the various countries from which they were drawn. Marshal Davout was left in Charge of the French-Allied forces. Napoleons Polish Marshal had been named Regent of the Kingdom of Poland and there were some indications that the Emperor might name him as king. A few in the know thought that Napoleon's son by a Polish Noble woman might get the throne. One thing was sure Poland was here to stay.
Christmas Day: The Emperor of the French sent a message to his allies wishing them the best on this special day. To his enemies in Russia and Great Britain he offered a chance to reach a settlement between the powers before another year and another campaign season began.
All appeared to be quiet on the Spanish front. All French forces had withdrawn from Spain and the Spanish government had received the return of their assets.
In Latin America the Spanish King was to discover that his subjects had had enough of Spain and wanted their freedom from Spain.
To all Merry Christmas.
All appeared to be quiet on the Spanish front. All French forces had withdrawn from Spain and the Spanish government had received the return of their assets.
In Latin America the Spanish King was to discover that his subjects had had enough of Spain and wanted their freedom from Spain.
To all Merry Christmas.
The Russian front had seen some activity during the winter months as the Russians launched some small offensives. Czar Alexander I was under a lot of pressure to reach a settlement with Napoleon. The Swedes had retaken Finland and Napoleon had turned the Duchy of Warsaw into the new Kingdom of Poland. The Kingdom of Poland had increased in size.
Napoleon had also allowed the setting up of independent states in Latvia and Estonia. Both of them had seen the rise of Nationalism.
Lithuania was a question mark- should it be independent or attached to Poland Napoleon had not decided..
He had named his Polish Marshal as Regent of Poland and there seemed to be indications that he might be named as King.
Marshal Davout had been left in charge of all of the empires forces on the Russian Front. He had proven hinself to be quite capable of keeping the Russians in check.
Napoleon had also allowed the setting up of independent states in Latvia and Estonia. Both of them had seen the rise of Nationalism.
Lithuania was a question mark- should it be independent or attached to Poland Napoleon had not decided..
He had named his Polish Marshal as Regent of Poland and there seemed to be indications that he might be named as King.
Marshal Davout had been left in charge of all of the empires forces on the Russian Front. He had proven hinself to be quite capable of keeping the Russians in check.
Despite some clashes during the winter of 1812-1813 the frontier had remained fairly quite. The French-allied forces had been well prepared for the winter. As Spring of 1813 began to Approach Napoleon prepared to leave for the East> He had sent several proposals to Great Britain and to Russia to end the war. The Baltic States had been busy raising up Armies to protect themselves from Russia.
Napoleon's main goal was to destroy the Russian Army without damaging the Grand Army. Pushing deep into Russia did not seem to be the wisest idea. Napoleon was considering doing a one bold gesture by issuing a proclamation freeing the Russian Serfs.
Napoleon's main goal was to destroy the Russian Army without damaging the Grand Army. Pushing deep into Russia did not seem to be the wisest idea. Napoleon was considering doing a one bold gesture by issuing a proclamation freeing the Russian Serfs.
Mistaken premise
I think that your fundamental premise is mistaken. Capturing cities, even capitals, was irrelevant. So long as the Czar was alive and his army in existence, Russia would resist. Besides, there was a northward drive, albeit weaker. Marshal MacDonald relates in his memoirs the campaign to take Riga. Also, as others have pointed out, military victory means little without political consent, both in Russia and Spain.
I think that your fundamental premise is mistaken. Capturing cities, even capitals, was irrelevant. So long as the Czar was alive and his army in existence, Russia would resist. Besides, there was a northward drive, albeit weaker. Marshal MacDonald relates in his memoirs the campaign to take Riga. Also, as others have pointed out, military victory means little without political consent, both in Russia and Spain.
Spring 1813 : The Emperor had arrived in Warsaw with the Imperial Guard and the allied armies was once again moving toward the East.Napoleon had seen the Baltic state finally accepting National Independence. Russia had lost the Baltic states as a result as well as Finland. The Emperor was present in the capital of Poland for the coronation of its new King. He was completing the solidification of the Kingdom.
While it was true that Czar Alexander had refused to make peace the results of the 1812 campaign had left him politically weaker. Napoleon had with his allies whittled down the size of Russia's Empire. In addition the Ottomans were stirring and launching probes up the Caucasus.
The Czar's brother had been Pushing Alexander to make a settlement
with Napoleon before something else happen. The Prussians had realized that Napoleon had not over reached the year before and in fact was in a stronger position. The Emperor had realized that taking cities might not force Alexander to the peace table but the threat to St Petersburg had undermined the people's confidence in him.
If anything the Grand Army was larger but Napoleon had no intention of wasting troops. A decisive battle was needed but not one that would cost him to many of his soldiers.
At least the War in Spain was over. The Spanish Bourbons could now fight amongst themselves. Returning the Spanish gold had not been easy but by doing it he had ended the Ulcer had been lanced. He had now freed a lot of soldiers. Some remained on garrison duty but others were available for the next campaign.
Once again the Emperor decided to try to reach a settlement with the British. In a surprising move he offered to restore the Netherlands to its previous ruling family. He was prepared to go much further if the British would also show flexibility.
The question was what would force a resolution of the War in the East.
The fall of St Petersburg would hurt Alexander but it would not end the war and Moscow was a city too far. Should he aim for Russia breadbasket or perhaps issue a proclamation freeing all of the serfs in Russia. One would see what his advisers had to say.
While it was true that Czar Alexander had refused to make peace the results of the 1812 campaign had left him politically weaker. Napoleon had with his allies whittled down the size of Russia's Empire. In addition the Ottomans were stirring and launching probes up the Caucasus.
The Czar's brother had been Pushing Alexander to make a settlement
with Napoleon before something else happen. The Prussians had realized that Napoleon had not over reached the year before and in fact was in a stronger position. The Emperor had realized that taking cities might not force Alexander to the peace table but the threat to St Petersburg had undermined the people's confidence in him.
If anything the Grand Army was larger but Napoleon had no intention of wasting troops. A decisive battle was needed but not one that would cost him to many of his soldiers.
At least the War in Spain was over. The Spanish Bourbons could now fight amongst themselves. Returning the Spanish gold had not been easy but by doing it he had ended the Ulcer had been lanced. He had now freed a lot of soldiers. Some remained on garrison duty but others were available for the next campaign.
Once again the Emperor decided to try to reach a settlement with the British. In a surprising move he offered to restore the Netherlands to its previous ruling family. He was prepared to go much further if the British would also show flexibility.
The question was what would force a resolution of the War in the East.
The fall of St Petersburg would hurt Alexander but it would not end the war and Moscow was a city too far. Should he aim for Russia breadbasket or perhaps issue a proclamation freeing all of the serfs in Russia. One would see what his advisers had to say.
Sweden was pushing for a siege of St Petersburg. Its capture would end once and for all any threat to Swedish Control of Finland, While it might do that the Emperor believed that it would not likely force Alexander to the bargaining table. It would however undermine the confidence that the nobles had in the Czar perhaps setting things up for a coup. Should Alexanders brother come to power Napoleon was sure that a deal could be made to France's advantage. A thrust into the Ukraine would put the French into Russia's bread basket. An army without food can not fight. The Czar was now feeling the Pressure as the Ottomans moved north.
The Grand Army was now on the March. Napoleon once again was conserving his strength. The army was pushing into the Ukraine, Russia's Bread basket. The Emperor had a Proclamation in his papers which would proclaim the freedom of the Russian Serfs.
A strong-French Allied Army was moving on St Petersburg from the South while the Swedes approached it from another direction. If Czar Alexander did not make peace he would have to fight or risk a coup.
Napoleon's offer regarding freeing the Netherlands had gotten some support in Great Britain. The British were unsure what Napoleon was up to. His pulling out of Spain and restoring the Spanish Bourbons had forced Britain to withdraw. Spain was a mess. A lot of the people found that their Spainish King was a fool. Worse the colonies in the America's had started to rise up and fight for independence.
A strong-French Allied Army was moving on St Petersburg from the South while the Swedes approached it from another direction. If Czar Alexander did not make peace he would have to fight or risk a coup.
Napoleon's offer regarding freeing the Netherlands had gotten some support in Great Britain. The British were unsure what Napoleon was up to. His pulling out of Spain and restoring the Spanish Bourbons had forced Britain to withdraw. Spain was a mess. A lot of the people found that their Spainish King was a fool. Worse the colonies in the America's had started to rise up and fight for independence.
The proposal would see the Netherlands returned to the House of Orange. The Dutch would be allowed to raise an army and Navy. Napoleon had come to the conclusion that it would be worth it to end the conflict. An agreement with Britain would finally end the blockade of Britain. Napoleon realized that he was getting too old to continue conpaigning.
Britain and France were holding talks seeing if a resolution of the conflict might be possible. There now seemed to be a possible resolution to the issue regarding the Netherlands but now would come the tricky issues of Hanover and Brunswick. The Emperor appeared willing to compromise somewhat but he expected that the British would also have to give in. The Continental Blockade was also on the table. France would lift it permanently if a settlement could be reached.