The Battle for the crossing of the Berezina River was the last major battle fought by Napoleon's Grande Armée in the Russian Campaign of 1812. After being forced to abandon Moscow as a result of Russia's unwillingness to surrender and dwindling supplies, Napoleon ordered a general retreat from Russia, which further wore down the already exhausted French and allied armies. At one point in their retreat, they were forced to cross the Berezina River, but such a crossing would not be so easy as a Russian army was present nearby and poised to attack. A quite fierce battle ensued, which saw only half of the remaining French and allied army escape the battlefield. A few months later, Napoleon, despite the massive blunder that was the Russian Campaign, decided to make a try at defeating the newly-formed Sixth Coalition the year after; despite initial successes (Bautzen, Lutzen, Dresden), Napoleon was ultimately defeated at Leipzig in october, and was forced to retreat to France, where he announced his abdication.
But what if Napoleon's armies had failed to cross the Berezina River in 1812?
I can see two possible scenarios: Napoleon being captured and imprisoned by the Russians, or killed in the thick of battle. What are the consequences of each scenario for the future of Napoleon's empire in Europe?
Taking the "Napoleon dies" scenario into consideration, i'd imagine that the heads of state of the Confederation of the Rhine would be willing to compromise and negotiate with the Coalition powers, as exemplified IOTL by Frederick Augustus of Saxony's abortive peace talks with Austria in 1813. How would this situation differ from OTL's Congress of Vienna? Without a defeat at Leipzig and subsequent Six Days' campaign, could France (possibly ruled by a regency under Talleyrand) retain most of her territories and sattelite states in Italy and western Germany? What about the Rhine border?
Any further thoughts?
But what if Napoleon's armies had failed to cross the Berezina River in 1812?
I can see two possible scenarios: Napoleon being captured and imprisoned by the Russians, or killed in the thick of battle. What are the consequences of each scenario for the future of Napoleon's empire in Europe?
Taking the "Napoleon dies" scenario into consideration, i'd imagine that the heads of state of the Confederation of the Rhine would be willing to compromise and negotiate with the Coalition powers, as exemplified IOTL by Frederick Augustus of Saxony's abortive peace talks with Austria in 1813. How would this situation differ from OTL's Congress of Vienna? Without a defeat at Leipzig and subsequent Six Days' campaign, could France (possibly ruled by a regency under Talleyrand) retain most of her territories and sattelite states in Italy and western Germany? What about the Rhine border?
Any further thoughts?
Last edited: