Napoleon in 1812 made the decision to invade Russia as Czar Alexander I was showing no sign of willingness to co-operate. The decision to drive toward Moscow combined with a number of other bad decision resulted in a giant disaster for both Napoleon and France.
However, I have always wondered if some changes were made might it have been a success.
Let start with a few changes and see if they might help to alter the course. Napoleon was finally convinced by his advisers that there was a need to bring the fighting in Spain to an end. The Spanish Ulcer was just draining resources from France that could be better used elsewhere. For this reason he finally gave an approval by his foreign Minister to reach some sort of a settlement with the Spanish Bourbons that would allow France to remove itself from the war there. His brother might not like the fact that he was having to give up his throne but it would take place.
The Emperor had begun to think that another invasion plan might be better. A thrust to the north aimed at the Imperial Capital of St Petersburg.. He could dangle Finland at the Swedes . The Swedish Government was still feeling the loss of Finland and if the could be assured of a French Victory then they would join the war and Alexander would have to face a threat from both the French and from the Swedes advancing from the west.
Another proposal was one that he kept hearing from Poles restore the Kingdom of Poland. He had created the Grand Duchy of Warsaw so it was possible and it might bring him more troops.
He would make sure that the Czar is kept guessing as to what his target was to be but he would make sure that Davout and some of his other Marshals was aware of the true target
However, I have always wondered if some changes were made might it have been a success.
Let start with a few changes and see if they might help to alter the course. Napoleon was finally convinced by his advisers that there was a need to bring the fighting in Spain to an end. The Spanish Ulcer was just draining resources from France that could be better used elsewhere. For this reason he finally gave an approval by his foreign Minister to reach some sort of a settlement with the Spanish Bourbons that would allow France to remove itself from the war there. His brother might not like the fact that he was having to give up his throne but it would take place.
The Emperor had begun to think that another invasion plan might be better. A thrust to the north aimed at the Imperial Capital of St Petersburg.. He could dangle Finland at the Swedes . The Swedish Government was still feeling the loss of Finland and if the could be assured of a French Victory then they would join the war and Alexander would have to face a threat from both the French and from the Swedes advancing from the west.
Another proposal was one that he kept hearing from Poles restore the Kingdom of Poland. He had created the Grand Duchy of Warsaw so it was possible and it might bring him more troops.
He would make sure that the Czar is kept guessing as to what his target was to be but he would make sure that Davout and some of his other Marshals was aware of the true target