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Yet even as Russia emerged more powerful than ever from the Napoleonic era, its internal tensions began to increase. . Virtually all of continental Europe was under his control, and the invasion of Russia was an attempt to force Tsar Alexander I to submit once again to the terms of a treaty that Napoleon had imposed upon him four years earlier. Having gathered nearly half a million soldiers, from France as well as all of the vassal states of Europe, Napoleon entered Russia at the head of the largest army ever seen. The Russians, under Marshal Kutuzov, could not realistically hope to defeat him in a direct confrontation. |
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The small army of participents dress and act the roles to perfection, bivouacing on the beach during the few days of activities. He created a new army, using able-bodied Frenchmen rather than the upperclass and nobility. He began his bid for power, eventually controlling most of western Europe (except Britain and Portugal). 1812 - Napoleon was bogged down in snows of the Russian winter. 1815 (18 June) - He fought his final battle at Waterloo, against Arthur Wellesley, the first Duke of Wellington, and was exiled to Saint Helena off the coast of Africa. |