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Questions and Answers
What was the army size that arrived in Smolensk?
What was the army size that arrived in Smolensk?
- 175,000 (correct)
- 100,000
- 422,000
- 30,000
What event was Napoleon hoping to achieve by waiting in Moscow?
What event was Napoleon hoping to achieve by waiting in Moscow?
- To reinforce his supply lines
- To secure a victory at Borodino
- To regroup his forces
- To encourage the czar to surrender (correct)
What happened to Moscow when Napoleon entered the city?
What happened to Moscow when Napoleon entered the city?
- It was left intact and welcoming
- It was fully occupied by the French
- It was completely torched (correct)
- It was fortified by the czar's army
How many troops died in Smolensk during the French campaign?
How many troops died in Smolensk during the French campaign?
Which river did Napoleon and his troops cross before entering Russia?
Which river did Napoleon and his troops cross before entering Russia?
What was the outcome of the Battle of Borodino on September 7, 1812?
What was the outcome of the Battle of Borodino on September 7, 1812?
Why did Alexander destroy Moscow before Napoleon's arrival?
Why did Alexander destroy Moscow before Napoleon's arrival?
What were the consequences of Napoleon staying in Moscow until mid-October?
What were the consequences of Napoleon staying in Moscow until mid-October?
When did Napoleon decide to retreat from Moscow?
When did Napoleon decide to retreat from Moscow?
What factor significantly weakened Napoleon's army during the retreat?
What factor significantly weakened Napoleon's army during the retreat?
How many soldiers were part of the Grand Army when it first crossed into Russia?
How many soldiers were part of the Grand Army when it first crossed into Russia?
What ultimately caused the loss of many soldiers in Napoleon's army during the retreat?
What ultimately caused the loss of many soldiers in Napoleon's army during the retreat?
What significant event occurred seven days after the Battle of Borodino?
What significant event occurred seven days after the Battle of Borodino?
What was a significant reason for the resistance to Napoleon's empire-building efforts in other European countries?
What was a significant reason for the resistance to Napoleon's empire-building efforts in other European countries?
What was the outcome of Napoleon's retreat from Moscow?
What was the outcome of Napoleon's retreat from Moscow?
What was the consequence of Napoleon's naval blockade?
What was the consequence of Napoleon's naval blockade?
Which countries allied against Napoleon after his retreat?
Which countries allied against Napoleon after his retreat?
Which mistake is criticized in relation to Napoleon's retreat from Moscow?
Which mistake is criticized in relation to Napoleon's retreat from Moscow?
What challenge did Napoleon face with the new army he raised?
What challenge did Napoleon face with the new army he raised?
Why did Napoleon invade Russia according to historical evaluations?
Why did Napoleon invade Russia according to historical evaluations?
Where did the decisive battle against the allied armies take place?
Where did the decisive battle against the allied armies take place?
In evaluating Napoleon's leadership, which aspect is often highlighted as evidence of his greatness?
In evaluating Napoleon's leadership, which aspect is often highlighted as evidence of his greatness?
How did Napoleon end his reign after the defeat at Leipzig?
How did Napoleon end his reign after the defeat at Leipzig?
What happened to Napoleon after he surrendered?
What happened to Napoleon after he surrendered?
What motivated Napoleon to escape from Elba?
What motivated Napoleon to escape from Elba?
What was one of the main reasons the Spanish guerrillas were effective against French armies?
What was one of the main reasons the Spanish guerrillas were effective against French armies?
Who welcomed Napoleon upon his return to France?
Who welcomed Napoleon upon his return to France?
How did nationalism play a role during the Peninsular War?
How did nationalism play a role during the Peninsular War?
What was a significant outcome of Napoleon's invasion of Russia in 1812?
What was a significant outcome of Napoleon's invasion of Russia in 1812?
What event triggered Napoleon's decision to invade Russia?
What event triggered Napoleon's decision to invade Russia?
How did the British contribute to the difficulties faced by the French in Spain?
How did the British contribute to the difficulties faced by the French in Spain?
What characterized Napoleon’s Grand Army during the Russian campaign?
What characterized Napoleon’s Grand Army during the Russian campaign?
What was the outcome of the rise of nationalism in European countries affected by Napoleon?
What was the outcome of the rise of nationalism in European countries affected by Napoleon?
What was the reason for Napoleon's significant losses in the Peninsular War?
What was the reason for Napoleon's significant losses in the Peninsular War?
Study Notes
French Revolutions Impact on Spain
- Spanish peasants, known as guerrillas, resisted French forces in Spain for six years.
- The guerrillas favored ambush tactics, using their knowledge of the terrain to strike and retreat.
- The British provided support to the Spanish resistance.
- The Peninsular War, waged in Spain, cost Napoleon 300,000 men.
- Nationalistic sentiment became a significant factor in opposing Napoleon's rule.
- The Spanish guerrillas were not an army that Napoleon could defeat in open battle.
The Invasion of Russia
- Napoleon's decision to invade Russia in 1812 marked a turning point in his reign.
- Despite an initial alliance, Napoleon and Czar Alexander I grew suspicious of each other's ambitions.
- Napoleon's Grand Army, consisting of over 420,000 soldiers, invaded Russia in June of 1812.
- Czar Alexander employed a scorched earth policy, refusing to engage in direct combat and destroying resources to hinder the French advance.
- After an indecisive battle at Borodino, Napoleon entered Moscow on September 14th, 1812, only to find the city ablaze.
- Napoleon's decision to remain in Moscow until mid-October proved disastrous, as Russian winters proved devastating to his troops.
Napoleon's Retreat from Moscow
- The retreat from Moscow began in early November and involved a harsh winter.
- Russian troops relentlessly harassed Napoleon's forces, who suffered heavy losses due to cold, hunger, and combat.
- By December, only around 10,000 soldiers remained of Napoleon's Grand Army.
Napoleon's Downfall
- European powers, including Britain, Russia, Prussia, and Sweden, formed an alliance to oppose Napoleon.
- Austria, despite Napoleon's marriage to Marie Louise, joined the alliance against him.
- In October 1813, Napoleon's ill-prepared army suffered a crushing defeat at the Battle of Leipzig.
- Allied forces captured Paris in 1814, forcing Napoleon's abdication.
- Napoleon was exiled to the island of Elba, where he would remain until 1815.
The Hundred Days
- Napoleon escaped Elba and returned to France on March 1, 1815, quickly regaining support.
- Despite Napoleon's return, Louis XVIII remained on the throne.
- French crowds welcomed Napoleon during his march to Paris.
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Description
Explore the impact of the French Revolution on Spain and the significant events surrounding Napoleon's invasion of Russia. This quiz examines the guerrilla tactics used by Spanish resistance and the turning point of Napoleon's campaign in 1812. Test your knowledge on these pivotal conflicts in European history.
