Patriotic War of 1812

The Patriotic War of 1812, the reasons of which consisted in Napoleon's desire to dominate the whole world, seizing all the states, became a significant milestone in the history of our country. At that time, only Russia and England continued to preserve independence from all European countries. Napoleon felt particularly irritated with regard to the Russian state, which continued to oppose the expansion of its aggression and systematically violate the continental blockade.

Entering into confrontation with the French, Russia advocated the monarchical states of Europe.

The war was prepared from the very 1810. Russia and France understood that military action was inevitable.

The French emperor introduced troops to the duchy of Warsaw, creating arsenal there. Russia felt threatened and began to increase the strength of the army in the western provinces.

The Patriotic War of 1812 began with the invasion of Napoleon on June 12. The 600,000-strong French army forced the Neman.

Together with this, the Russian government developed a plan to confront the invaders. Created by his Prussian military theorist Ful. According to the plan, the entire Russian army was composed of three parts. The commanders were Bagration, Tormasov, Barclay de Tolly. According to the assumption of Ful, the Russian troops were to retreat to fortified positions systematically and, combining, to repel the onslaught of the French. However, the Patriotic War of 1812 began to develop in a different way. The Russian army retreated, and Napoleon approached Moscow. Despite the resistance of the Russians, the French soon found themselves close to the capital.

The situation, which began to take shape, required immediate action. On August 20, the post of commander-in-chief of Russian troops was occupied by Kutuzov.

The general battle happened on August 26 near the village of Borodino (Borodino battle). This battle was the most bloody one-day battle in the history of the country. In this battle there was no winner. But there were no losers either. However, assessing the situation, Kutuzov after the battle decides to retreat. It was decided to give Moscow without a fight. From the capital, all residents were withdrawn, and the city itself was burnt.

On September 2, Napoleonic soldiers entered Moscow. The commander-in-chief of the French assumed that Muscovites would bring the keys to him from the city. But the city was burned, all the barns with ammunition and provisions burned.

Napoleon did not know what to do next. The army began to loosen discipline, the soldiers began to drink. Until October 7, the French army was in Moscow. Napoleon decides to retreat to the south, in a territory not ruined by war.

The next battle took place near Maloyaroslavets. Fierce battles were fought, during which the French army trembled. Napoleon had to retreat the same road that he had come (according to Staraya Smolenskaya).

The following battles took place near Krasnaya, Vyazma, near the ferry across the Berezina. The Russian army drove the French out of their land. Thus, the Napoleonic invasion of Russia ended.

The Patriotic War of 1812 ended on December 23, about which Alexander 1 signed a manifesto. However, the Napoleonic campaign continued. The battles were fought until 1814.

The Patriotic War of 1812. Results

Military operations at that time became an important historical event in Russia. This war caused a surge in the national consciousness of the Russian people. Absolutely all population participated in the battle with Napoleon, regardless of age.

The victory in the Patriotic War of 1812 confirmed Russian heroism and courage. This battle gave the stories of great people: Kutuzov, Rayevsky, Bagration, Tormasov and other commanders of Russia, whose names are forever in history. The war with the Napoleonic army was a vivid example of the self-sacrifice of the people in the name of saving their Motherland.