Invasion of Russia
Definition
A disastrous military campaign led by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1812 where he invaded Russia with his Grand Army. The harsh winter and Russian tactics decimated his forces and marked a turning point in the Napoleonic Wars.
Analogy
Think of the Invasion of Russia as an ill-prepared camping trip in extreme weather conditions. Despite having all the gear (troops), not understanding the environment (Russian winter) leads to disaster.
Related terms
Scorched Earth Policy: A military strategy used during war where anything that might be useful to the enemy is destroyed. This was used by Russians during Napoleon's invasion.
Grand Army: The army commanded by Napoleon during the Napoleonic Wars. It was one of the largest armies ever assembled at that time.
Retreat from Moscow: Refers to Napoleon's disastrous retreat from Moscow in 1812 after failing to secure a decisive victory against Russia.
"Invasion of Russia" appears in:
Study guides (1)
Practice Questions (1)
- Which Russian Tsar was instrumental in defeating Napoleon during his invasion of Russia?
Resources
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