Could Tilsit work?

For a longer period, I doubt. Alexander was happy to sign the treaty but only because he needed time to prepare for rematch. French domination in Europe was not in Russia's interest. Prussia and (especially) Austria only waited for an opportunity to put a knife in Napoleon's back. It was shown in Polish-Austrian campaign of 1809, when Austrian corps invaded Duchy of Warsaw. Russians were theoretically French (so also Polish) allies, but their forces manouvered so they made as much trouble as possible for the Poles except openly fighting them. When Austrian garrison of Cracow had to surrender, it surrendered only to Russians in hope that would prevent the Poles from regaining the town. Prince Poniatowski had to ride over a squadron of Russian hussars (litterarily!) to get through Cracow's gates.
 
When Austrian garrison of Cracow had to surrender, it surrendered only to Russians in hope that would prevent the Poles from regaining the town. Prince Poniatowski had to ride over a squadron of Russian hussars (litterarily!) to get through Cracow's gates.

To be fair, a big part of their dispute was over how to divide the Ottoman Empire. Suppose Napoleon had been more vigorous in egging Russia towards Constantinople, and agreed they could have the Straits?

I don't say that the Russians could get them, but it would be a handy distraction..
 
To be fair, a big part of their dispute was over how to divide the Ottoman Empire. Suppose Napoleon had been more vigorous in egging Russia towards Constantinople, and agreed they could have the Straits?

I don't say that the Russians could get them, but it would be a handy distraction..

Anglo-Othman against Franco-Russians?
What direction Vienna would go?
 
I don't think Tilsit's failure was only because of Poland or the partition of the Ottoman Empire. There was also the problem of the relationship between Napoleon and Alexander : they were disastrous. L'Empereur and The Tsar had too few in common and (as was mentionned above), the Russians only signed Tilsit to buy themselves some time. And as a matter of fact, they never really followed their hand of the bargain after signing the treaty at Tilsit because Russia kept its port open to British vessels, despite the Continental Blockade.

Even if Alexander was proposed a more advantageous deal regarding the partition of the Ottoman Empire, he would probably still turn against Napoleon as he didn't like him as Napoleon didn't treat him as an equal.
 
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