Napolean shot in the Back in Russia

I had this idea, what if while retreating from Moscow a Russian gurrilla manages to shot Napolean in the back and fataly kill him. What would happen to His empire and how would it affect the the war of 1812 in the United States?
 
I had this idea, what if while retreating from Moscow a Russian gurrilla manages to shot Napolean in the back and fataly kill him. What would happen to His empire and how would it affect the the war of 1812 in the United States?

It was collapsing anyways, so just sooner.
 
It was collapsing anyways, so just sooner.

Oh, come now. You don't think Metternich might see the opportunities to have a Hasbsburg prince on the French throne? I think this would actually save Greater France, although the rest of the Empire is probably toast.
 
Well things are going to get messy back home. IIRC when General Malet tried to launch his coup by faking letters that Napoleon had been killed in Russia and reinstating the Republic one of the striking things was how quickly and easily everyone discounted his son, so I doubt that the succession is going to happen like Napoleon would of wanted. Expect to see his generals maneuvering for position to either claim leadership themselves or to act as 'regent' for Napoleon II. I want to say that at this stage that France is pretty much doomed since they now have nearly all of Europe arrayed against them. If Napoleone, the personification of what was evil to the allies about France, is dead though could the French possible pull back within their own borders whilst trying to negotiate an armistice and peace? Or would the Allies merely scent victory and keep up the skker?

One option that might be amusing would be for Malet to launch his coup (he believes) falsely claiming that Napoleon had died and the Republic restored and put down as in our timeline only for it to be actually true and the news to arrive a short while afterwards. :) No-one would know what was going on. First he's dead, then he's alive, then he's dead again, maybe he might turn up alive? "It's Empire!" "No, vive la Republic!" "The Emperor lives, crush the revolters!" "Uh, yeah, about that whole living thing..."
 
Guys

Gods that would make for a confused situation, especially with as Simon says Malet's false claim turning out to be true. Would mean even less people trust anything put out by the authorities.

Without his control I think things would collapse pretty quickly. Various elements seeking power for themselves and with the main army reeling back in chaos from Russia. They at least would know the facts fairly quickly and that would probably mean morale collapses even more completely.

Austria and Prussia were still [albeit unwilling] allies at this point but I doubt that would last long. Also without a clear emperor to control matters and probably internal conflict I doubt if the mass mobilisation that occurred OTL in 1812-13 could occur at anything like the same scale. Hence I could see Germany being liberated quicker and with much lower losses on all sides. There's probably some peace achieved by the end of the year.

In answer to the question in the OP then it almost certainly ends quickly in 1813 as well. Given the collapse of French power the US, still barely organised itself at this point would be totally insane to continue the war against Britain without France as a de-facto ally. It raises the interesting question of the resultant borders. Britain wanting peace may settle for no changes of the borders. However having been attacked by the US and with some military success in driving them from significant areas of the Great Lakes, you could see an Indian state organised in the region under a British protectorate. [That would be good as it would prevent a lot of later abuses and would also drastically alter the balance of power and development in N America].

Steve
 
It could be an interesting question what happens to France's allies - could Polish nobles see fit to declare an independent Poland? The continued link with Saxony and Warsaw is not going to be a good thing in this scenario, and IIRC the Polish corps is getting out of Russia in fighting condition?

Ney and co are going to continue their rearguard actions to try to save as much of the army as possible. Maybe more of it heads for Poland too?

Also could a restored republic of some sort attempt to find an "honest broker" for negotiation - maybe Sweden?

Best Regards
Grey Wolf
 
It could be an interesting question what happens to France's allies - could Polish nobles see fit to declare an independent Poland? The continued link with Saxony and Warsaw is not going to be a good thing in this scenario, and IIRC the Polish corps is getting out of Russia in fighting condition?

They can try but Poland has the classical problem of being between a rock, an hard place and yet another hard place. Without a powerful French emperor to support them I can't see them not being carved up. They could try divide and rule, offering say to take a king from one of the three neighbours but don't know how successful that would be.

Ney and co are going to continue their rearguard actions to try to save as much of the army as possible. Maybe more of it heads for Poland too?

Again they would probably try but with Napoleon dead I think morale would plummet even further and faster so I would suspect less make it out of Russia.

Also could a restored republic of some sort attempt to find an "honest broker" for negotiation - maybe Sweden?

That could be risky as the king of Sweden had a preferred claimant for the ruler of France in the event of Napoleon being killed.;)

Best Regards
Grey Wolf
 
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