French invasion of Russia Facts for Kids

French soldiers in Russia

The French Invasion of Russia in 1812, also known as the Russian Campaign in France (French: Campagne de Russie) and the Patriotic War of 1812 in Russia (Russian: Отечественная война 1812 года), was when Napoleon Bonaparte led the French Empire to invade Russia. It was the turning point during the Napoleonic Wars, because it was the first major defeat for Napoleon. It reduced the French and allied invasion forces (the Grande Armée) to a tiny part of their starting strength. It started a major change in European politics as it greatly weakened France's power over Europe. The French Empire's former allies, at first Prussia and then the Austrian Empire, broke their alliance with France. They went against France instead, which started the War of the Sixth Coalition.

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The French Empire in 1812
Treaties of Tilsit signed on the Neman River
On the border of Nieman 1812 by Christian Wilhelm von Faber du Faur
The Grande Armée crossing the Niemen by Waterloo Clark
Napoleon's Hill or Jiesia mound from the other bank of the Niemen river
Anonymous, "Grande Armée" crossing the river
Italian corps of Eugene de Beauharnais crossing the Niemen on 30 June 1812. Oil and gouache on paper by Albrecht Adam who travelled with IV Corps. In: Hermitage Museum
Halšany by Albrecht Adam, on 11 July 1812
Cossacks feigning retreat against Polish uhlans at the Battle of Mir
General Raevsky leading a detachment of the Russian Imperial Guard at the Battle of Saltanovka
The total length of the city wall around the Smolensk Kremlin was 6.5 kilometres, with a height of up to 19 metres and a width of up to 5.2 metres, and a total of 38 watchtowers. The Kremlin lost nine towers because of the bombardment and fire.
Bolshiye Vyazyomy, Moscow region where Kutuzov as well as Napoleon stayed
Kutuzov on the far left, with his generals at the talks deciding to surrender Moscow to the French
Napoleon watching the fire of Moscow in September 1812
Areas of Moscow destroyed by the fire in red
Bad News from France, painting depicting Napoleon encamped in a Russian Orthodox church (Vasily Vereshchagin, part of his series, "Napoleon, 1812", 1887–95)
The night bivouac of Napoleon's army during the retreat from Russia by Vasily Vereshchagin. Oil on canvas. Historical Museum, Moscow, Russia.
Kalmyks and Bashkirs attacking French troops at the Berezina
The Berezina in Studzenke (2015)
The French Army crossing the Berezina
Napoleon's withdrawal from Russia, painting by Adolph Northen
French Carabiniers-à-Cheval during the Russian Campaign
The hall of military fame in the Winter Palace with portraits of Russian generals
As irregular cavalry, the Cossack horsemen of the Russian steppes were best suited to reconnaissance, scouting and harassing the enemy's flanks and supply lines.
Napoleon's retreat, surrounded by the Old Guards, by Vasily Vereshchagin
The French Army in the Town Hall Square of Vilna during the retreat

French invasion of Russia facts for kids

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