The beginning of the foreign campaign of the Russian army. Foreign campaign of the Russian army

Foreign campaigns of the Russian army of 1813-1814 - military operations of the Russian army together with Prussian, Swedish and Austrian troops to complete the defeat of the army of Napoleon I and the liberation of the countries of Western Europe from the French conquerors. On December 21, 1812, Kutuzov, in an order to the army, congratulated the troops on expelling the enemy from Russia and called on them to “complete the defeat of the enemy on his own fields.”

Russia's goal was to expel French troops from the countries they had captured, deprive Napoleon of the opportunity to use their resources, complete the defeat of the aggressor on his own territory and ensure the establishment of lasting peace in Europe. On the other hand, the tsarist government aimed to restore feudal-absolutist regimes in European states. After his defeat in Russia, Napoleon sought to gain time and again create a mass army.

The strategic plan of the Russian command was built with the expectation of withdrawing Prussia and Austria from the war on Napoleon’s side as quickly as possible and making them allies of Russia.

Offensive actions in 1813 were distinguished by their large spatial scope and high intensity. They deployed at the front from the shores of the Baltic Sea to Brest-Litovsk, and were carried out to great depths - from the Neman to the Rhine. The 1813 campaign ended with the defeat of Napoleonic troops in the Battle of Leipzig on October 4-7 (16-19), 1813 (“Battle of the Nations”). Over 500 thousand people took part in the battle on both sides: the allies - over 300 thousand people (including 127 thousand Russians), 1385 guns; Napoleonic troops - about 200 thousand people, 700 guns. Its most important results were the formation of a powerful anti-French coalition and the collapse of the Confederation of the Rhine (36 German states under Napoleon's protectorate), the defeat of the army newly formed by Napoleon and the liberation of Germany and Holland.

By the beginning of the 1814 campaign, the Allied forces deployed on the Rhine numbered about 460 thousand people, including over 157 thousand Russians. In December 1813 - early January 1814, all three allied armies crossed the Rhine and began an offensive deep into France.

In order to strengthen the coalition, on February 26 (March 10), 1814, the Treaty of Chaumont was signed between Great Britain, Russia, Austria and Prussia, according to which the parties pledged not to enter into separate peace negotiations with France, to provide mutual military assistance and to jointly resolve issues about the future of Europe . This agreement laid the foundations of the Holy Alliance.

The 1814 campaign ended with the capitulation of Paris on March 18 (30). On March 25 (April 6) in Fontainebleau, Napoleon signed the abdication of the throne, then was exiled to the island of Elba.

The wars of the coalitions of European powers with Napoleon I ended with the Congress of Vienna (September 1814 - June 1815), in which representatives of all European powers took part, except Turkey. The goals of the Congress were: international legal formalization of a new balance of power between European powers; restoration of the political system in Europe, liquidated during the Great French Revolution and the Napoleonic Wars, and ensuring its stability for a long time; creation of guarantees against the return to power of Napoleon I; satisfaction of the territorial claims of the winners; restoration of overthrown dynasties.

As part of this event, treaties were concluded that consolidated the political fragmentation of Germany and Italy; The Duchy of Warsaw was divided between Russia, Prussia and Austria. France is deprived of its conquests.

On September 26, 1815, the resolutions of the Congress of Vienna were supplemented by the act of creating the Holy Alliance of European Monarchies, which included Austria, Prussia and Russia. In November 1815, France joined the union, and then a number of other European states. The purpose of the Holy Alliance was to ensure the inviolability of the decisions of the Congress of Vienna of 1814-1815.

The fighting of the Russian army together with Prussian, Swedish and Austrian troops to expel the troops of Napoleon I from European countries.

In re-zul-ta-te military. action-st-viy grew. The army and its allied countries of Europe were based on the French. state-dom-stva, os-vo-bo-dit. mission grew troops on-lu-chi-la shi-ro-koe me-zh-du-nar. confession. At the same time, in France the Ko-ro-Left di-nation of Bourbons was returned to power. To confirm and defend the rights of the monarchs in September. 1815 The Holy Union of Austria, Prussia and Russia was concluded. The fighting grew up. army in Z. p. r. A. co-sta-vi-li St. 120 thousand people.

Illustrations:

“The battle of Kul-ma. Captivity of the ka-za-ka-mi of the French ge-ne-ra-la D. J. R. Van-da-ma September 16, 1813.” Khu-dozh-nik I. Ryu-gen-des. Ak-va-tin-ta, ak-va-rel. 1814. Augsburg. Archive of A. L. Kusakin;

“Emperor Alexander I and King of Prussia Friedrich Wilhelm III after the capture of Paris on March 29, 1814.” Gra-vu-ra cutter, ac-va-rel. 1814. Nuremberg. Archive of A. L. Kusakin;

“Russian ki-ra-sir, dra-gun, uhlan, horse huntsman and ka-za-ki militia in po-kho-de.” Ri-so-va-no with na-tu-ry and gra-vi-ro-va-no hu-dozh-nikom G. Adam. Ak-va-tin-ta, ak-va-rel. 1814. Nuremberg. Archive of A. L. Kusakin.

The foreign campaigns of the Russian army (1813-1815) became a continuation of the Patriotic War of 1812. Napoleon was expelled from Russia but was not yet destroyed and continued to rule France.

Foreign campaign of the Russian army in 1813.

After the death of Field Marshal M.I. Kutuzov in Bunslau in April 1813, the Russian army began active operations against Napoleon's army in Western Europe. The first battle took place near the town of Gross-Gershen. Almost two centuries later, Russian and French grenadiers met again on the battlefield.

Foreign campaign of the Russian army 1814 - 1815.

In 1814, tired of chasing fragments of Napoleon's Grand Army throughout Europe, Russian generals decided to end the war in the simplest way - to occupy Paris.

Production of the studio "Porubezhye".

Brief historical background

At the end of March, Russian-Prussian troops resumed their offensive. A partisan movement developed behind French lines in Germany, and the German population greeted Russian troops as their liberators. On February 20 (March 4), Berlin was liberated by a Russian detachment. By mid-April, Napoleon managed to concentrate 200 thousand people. against 92 thousand Russian-Prussian troops, which after the death of Kutuzov were commanded by Wittgenstein, and from May 17 (29) by General M. B. Barclay de Tolly. Napoleon defeated the allies on April 20 (May 2) at Lützen and May 8-9 (20-21) at Bautzen, after which a truce was concluded on May 23 (June 4), which lasted until July 29 (August 10). Austria mediated negotiations with Napoleon, which ended in failure, after which Austria broke off relations with France. Sweden, bound with Russia by the treaty of alliance of 1812, opposed France. Great Britain signed conventions with Russia and Prussia on providing them with subsidies. On August 28 (September 9), the Teplitz Treaties of Union of 1813 were concluded between Russia, Austria and Prussia, to which Great Britain soon joined.

By the fall of 1813, the allied troops numbered 492 thousand people. (including Russians - 173 thousand), united in 3 armies: Bohemian (about 237 thousand) of the Austrian field marshal K. Schwarzenberg, Silesian (about 100 thousand) of the Prussian field marshal G. Blucher and Northern (over 150 thousand). ) Swedish Crown Prince J. Bernadotte. A separate corps (about 30 thousand) was advanced to Hamburg. Napoleon had 440 thousand. army, the bulk of which was in Saxony. In August the Allies launched a concentric offensive. Napoleon threw his main forces against the Bohemian army and inflicted defeat on it on August 14-15 (26-27) in the Battle of Dresden 1813. French troops tried to pursue, but the Russian rearguard pushed them back on August 17-18 (29-30) in the battle of Kulm. The Silesian army defeated the troops of J. MacDonald, and the Northern Army defeated the troops of C. Oudinot. The Allies launched a general offensive and on October 4-7 (16-19) in the Battle of Leipzig 1813 they defeated Napoleon's army.

Its remnants retreated across the river. Rhine. L. Davout's corps was surrounded in Hamburg. The successes of the allies forced Denmark to abandon the alliance with Napoleon, on January 2 (14) to sign the Kiel Peace Treaties of 1814 with Sweden and Great Britain and to undertake to enter the war against France. Allied forces began expelling Napoleonic troops from the Netherlands. The most important result of the 1813 campaign was the liberation of Germany from the Napoleonic yoke. But, as V.I. Lenin noted, it happened “... not without the help of the robber states, which waged with Napoleon not a liberation war, but an imperialist war...” (Poln. sobr. soch., 5th ed., vol. 35, p. 382).

By the beginning of the 1814 campaign, the allied troops numbered 900 thousand people, of which 453 thousand (including 153 thousand Russians) were located along the right bank of the Rhine; the remaining forces were in Spain, Italy and in reserve. Napoleon could oppose them with only 300 thousand people, of which 160 thousand deployed along the left bank of the Rhine. In December 1813 - January 1814, the allied forces crossed the Rhine and began an offensive deep into France. The Allied command acted very indecisively, and Napoleon even managed to achieve a number of partial successes. Serious contradictions emerged between the Allied powers. In order to strengthen the coalition, the Chaumont Treaty of 1814 was signed on February 26 (March 10), in which the allies pledged not to conclude either peace or truce with France without general consent. Secret articles determined the post-war structure of Europe. At the Congress of Chatillon in 1814, the allies once again tried to resolve the conflict with Napoleon peacefully, but he rejected their conditions for the return of France to the borders of 1792. In March, the allied forces defeated Napoleon's army in a series of battles and launched an attack on Paris, which, after stubborn resistance, capitulated 18 (30 ) March. On March 25 (April 6), Napoleon signed his abdication from the throne at Fontainebleau and was exiled to Fr. Elbe. Louis XVIII, brother of the executed King Louis XVI, was elevated to the throne. On May 18 (30), the Peace of Paris of 1814 was signed between the Allies and France.

During the campaigns of 1813-14, the Russian army provided enormous assistance to the peoples of Western Europe in their liberation from Napoleonic rule. It was the main core around which the troops of other coalition members were grouped. However, the reactionary goals pursued by the ruling circles of the Allied powers gave the war with Napoleon a contradictory character. K. Marx pointed out: “All wars of independence that were fought against France are characterized by a combination of the spirit of revival with the spirit of reaction ...” (Marx K. and Engels F., Works, 2nd ed., vol. 10, p. 436 ).

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The French army led by Napoleon Bonaparte occupied most of Europe, and in 1812 began a campaign against the Russian Empire. At first, the military formations are lucky: they are rapidly moving deeper into Russia. The state of affairs is changed by the battle on the Borodino field and the burning of Moscow: and now we will talk briefly about the foreign campaigns of the Russian army of 1813-1814.

Preface

After successfully expelling Napoleon's army from their native country, the Russians, under the command of Kutuzov, head to Paris, the capital of France, simultaneously liberating the captured European states. The Kutuzov army suffers significant losses, and during the journey from Tarutin to the Neman, it loses two-thirds of its soldiers: dead, sick, killed and wounded. The lack of food had a negative impact: while retreating, the Russian army used scorched earth tactics - cereal crops and other food sources were destroyed.

Emperor Alexander 1 decides to bring the matter to a victorious end and takes on the noble role of the savior of Europe. Gradually, the Napoleonic coalition disintegrates: Prussia breaks away and joins Russia. In 1813, the Russian commander M.I. Kutuzov dies and command passes to Wittgenstein.

Rice. 1. Kutuzov.

Companies of 1813

On German territory, Napoleon plans to give a crushing rebuff to the allied forces of Russia and Prussia. In April 1812, at the head of an army of 150,000, Bonaparte launched an attack on the city of Leipzig, from where he managed to oust the allied forces. A few days later, the allied formation led by Peter Wittgenstein attacks the French corps of Marshal Ney, trying to destroy the enemy army piece by piece.

Napoleon with the main parts of the army advances to her aid. On the battlefield is Alexander the First and the King of Prussia, Frederick William. The commander-in-chief of the allied forces, Wittgenstein, has to coordinate actions with the monarchs, which wastes time and prevents timely initiative from appearing.

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Bonaparte, who came to the rescue, counterattacks the allies and wedges into the defense, threatening to be outflanked. After agreement, the two emperors give the order to retreat. The battle raised the morale of Napoleon's army and returned Saxony to French possessions.

To consolidate success, Bonaparte sends Ney's 60,000-strong corps to bypass the Allied army. He plans to surround the main enemy forces and then destroy them. With the remnants of the army, he crosses the Spree River and captures Bautzen. The persistent defense of the Russians does not allow Ney to complete the encirclement and the allies manage to retreat.France and the coalition conclude a short-term truce, during which time reserves are brought up and Austria and Sweden join the allied forces.

On October 6, the largest battle of the entire Patriotic War unfolds. The total number of soldiers taking part exceeds 500 thousand people. Napoleon's army heroically resists: it manages to repel the attacks of the allies and go on a counter-offensive. However, on October 7 he gives an order to retreat.

Napoleon Bonaparte lost his position in Germany and went with his troops to France.

Rice. 2. Napoleon's troops.

Company of 1814

On January 1, 1814, the Russian army crosses the Rhine and heads to Paris. For two months, Napoleon managed to hold back the onslaught of the Russians - he successfully used the maneuverability of his 40,000-strong army. A series of brilliant victories helped Bonaparte delay the time until France completely surrendered.

Schwarzenberg's army advanced to Paris. Upon learning of this, Napoleon immediately transferred troops to this direction, trying to stop the offensive. The battle for the capital lasted several hours and ended in a crushing defeat for the French army. This is how the foreign campaigns of the Russian army of 1813-1814 ended

The expulsion of the French army from Russia did not remove the threat of a new invasion from the peoples of Europe. The fight had to be continued until the enemy was completely defeated. The Russian army acted selflessly. “It was first about our own salvation, and then about the salvation of the whole of Europe, and therefore the whole world,” wrote V. G. Belinsky, emphasizing the just nature of the struggle of peoples in 1812-1814.

On January 1 (13), 1813, the Russian army crossed the river. Neman and joined the Duchy of Warsaw. The campaign of 1813 began. On February 15 (27), 1813, in the city of Kalisz, an agreement on peace, friendship, offensive and defensive alliance was signed between Russia and Prussia, according to which both parties pledged to mutually assist each other in the fight against Napoleon.

Led by M.I. Kutuzov, the Russian army advanced in a western direction, liberating Polish and Prussian cities. Eleven days after the signing of the Treaty of Kalisz, Russian troops entered Berlin. The Russian command saw the unity of efforts of the Russian and German peoples as an important means of achieving the main goal of the war - to put an end to Napoleon.
The change in the situation in Prussia, as well as the successes of the Russian army, were viewed with caution by the Prussian government. King Frederick William III tried to restrain the active actions of the Prussian troops and prevent them from uniting with the Russian army, which contradicted the terms of the Kalisz Treaty and the tactics of M. I. Kutuzov, aimed at uniting forces and strengthening armies with reserves. But the Russian Commander-in-Chief failed to complete the job he started. In April 1813, having caught a bad cold, he
died in a small town in Silesia Bunzlau. Later an obelisk was erected here in his memory.

Led the Russian-Prussian army General P. X. Wittgenstein, and after his unsuccessful actions Barclay de Tolly was appointed Commander-in-Chief.

So far only Prussia has acted alongside Russia. Austria continued to play a double game and waited to see which side the scales would lean towards. She feared both Napoleon's domination and the strengthening of Russia, although Prussia's accession to the anti-Napoleonic coalition had a sobering effect on her.

Napoleon, meanwhile, managed to form a new army. After a series of mobilizations, he assembled almost the same army as Russia and Prussia had together - 200 thousand soldiers. On April 20 (May 4), 1813, he defeated the allies at Lutzen and Bautzen, where they lost 20 thousand soldiers and retreated, leaving the left bank of the Elbe. French troops occupied Dresden and Breslau. These successes of Napoleon forced the allies to offer the Emperor of France a truce, which was necessary for both sides. It was signed in Plesvitsa on May 23 (June 4), 1813, through the mediation of Austria.

The truce allowed Russia and Prussia to resume negotiations with England on subsidies, and with Austria on joint actions against Napoleon, and helped strengthen the Prussian army with reserves. During the truce, Napoleon hoped to bring up fresh forces and prepare for a new offensive.

Napoleon's determination to continue the war, the advance of the allied armies to the Elbe, which created the threat of invasion of Austria if it acted on the side of France, put an end to the Habsburgs' hesitation. On August 28 (September 9), 1813, Austria became part of the anti-Napoleonic coalition, signing the Teplitz Treaty of Friendship and Defensive Alliance with Russia. Both states pledged to act in concert in Europe; in the event of a threat to one of them, provide assistance with a corps of 60 thousand people; they were not to make peace or truce without mutual agreement.

From the end of the summer of 1813, the situation changed in favor of the Allies. The states of the Rhineland and Sweden went over to the side of the coalition. The Allied army now numbered about 500 thousand people (against 400 thousand enemy).

The international and domestic situation of France became increasingly tense. Dissatisfaction with Napoleon's policies grew in the country, and his prestige in the army fell. The emperor was abandoned by some of his close associates: General Jomini went into Russian service; a little later Napoleon was left by his brother-in-law Murat.

In such a situation, on October 4-6 (16-18), 1813, a battle took place near Leipzig, which went down in history as the “battle of the nations.” Fought on the side of the Allies Russian, Prussian, Austrian and Swedish troops;

acted on the side of Napoleon French, Poles, Belgians, Dutch, Saxons, Bavarians, Württembergers, Italians. In total, more than 500 thousand people took part in the battle on both sides. This battle lasted for three days, which began successfully for the French, but ended in a heavy defeat for the Napoleonic army.

During the battles, the Saxon army betrayed Napoleon, going over to the side of the coalition. Russian and Prussian troops played the main role in the Battle of Leipzig. They were the first to enter Leipzig, putting the enemy to flight.

The Battle of Leipzig was the culmination of the campaign of 1813. In this battle, Napoleon lost more than a third of his army (at least 65 thousand, allies - about 55 thousand people); France's reserves were depleted: all conscription ages were mobilized. The French army fought back to the Rhine. In November 1813, Napoleon was in Paris and again prepared forces for new battles. The Leipzig defeat did not force the Emperor of France to stop fighting and turn to the European powers with a peace proposal. A new war was required on the territory of France, where the Allies entered in January 1814.

The liberation of Germany and the further retreat of Napoleonic troops increased the contradiction in the Allied camp. The Austrian government, wanting to maintain France as a counterweight to Russia, insisted on negotiations with Napoleon, threatening otherwise to leave the coalition.

On February 17 (March 1), 1814, the so-called Quadruple Treaty in Chaumont was signed between Russia, Austria, Prussia and England, which contained preliminary conditions for peace. The most controversial issues (Polish, Saxon) were not discussed in Chaumont, so as not to strengthen the already deep ones differences in the Allied camp. The powers agreed to give France territory within the borders of 1792 and thereby restore European balance. The terms of this treaty largely prepared the decisions of the Congress of Vienna. The continuous wars that Napoleon waged caused discontent not only in the conquered states, but also in his own country. This, in particular, manifested itself with the appearance of allied troops on French territory. The residents of Paris and even Napoleonic guards defended the city without much tenacity. The Emperor himself
there was none in the capital. Having learned about the surrender of Paris, Napoleon tried to gather troops and recapture the city from the enemy, but upon arriving in Fontainebleau, he was forced under pressure from the marshals to sign an act of abdication.

March 18 (30), 1814 Paris capitulated. The allied armies led by Alexander I entered the capital of France on March 31 and were greeted by a demonstration of supporters of the old order. The Emperor of Russia tried not to hurt the national pride of the French. He gave the order to establish control over the behavior of soldiers and officers of the allied armies, abolished the offensive ceremony of presenting the keys to the city, as if contrasting his behavior (worthy of a winner) with the actions of the French emperor in the Russian capital. Bonaparte at the end of April 1814 was sent to the island. Elba. A provisional government was formed in Paris, headed by Tale Iran. The Senate he convened announced the deposition of Napoleon and the restoration of the Bourbon dynasty. At the beginning of May 1814, the new king Louis XVIII, the brother of the executed Louis XVI, arrived in the capital.