Two Reasons For Napoleon's Defeat In Russia

The Campaign of 1812 should have been a another crusade for Napoleon, but he now faced 2 new policies that he had never faced before, the severe Russian winter and the notorious scorched-earth policy. On June 23, 1812 Napoleon's Grande Armee, over 500,000 men strong, poured over the Russian border. An equal amount of Russian forces awaited them. The result of the campaign was a surprise. Two authors, General carl von Clausewitz and Brett James, show similarities in reasons why Napoleon had lost this campaign to Russia.<br><br>Napoleon believed that after a few quick victorious battles, he could convince Alexander to return to the Continental System. He also decided that if he occupied Moscow, the Russian government would crumple and ask for
<br><br>" The natives say we shall have a severe winter," Napoleon retorted scornfully, "<br><br>Bah! You and your natives! We shall see how fine it is." pg 147, 1812 Napoleon's Defeat in Russia<br><br>Napoleon should have heeded Rapp's words. As the Grand Armee marched toward Moscow, many horses and men were lost in the freezing snow, and for those who remained, their morale and effectiveness was at the nadir. <br><br>General Clausewitz states his point by saying, <br><br>"With more precaution and better regulations as to subsistence, with more careful consideration of his marches, which would have prevented the unnecessary and enormous accumulation of masses on one and the same road, he would have preserved his army in a more effective condition." pg 255, The Campaign of 1812 in Russia<br><br>Brett James also shared the same opinion, " Napoleon appeared to have made no effort to discover the facts in Russia, or prepare his troops for it." pg 140, 1812<br><br><b>Napoleon's Defeat in Russia</b><br>As Napoleon and his army was making their way to Moscow, they encountered typhus, colds, and