Treaty of Kalisz (1813) facts for kids
The Treaty of Kalisz was an important agreement signed on 28 February 1813, in a city called Kalisz. This treaty was made between two powerful countries, Russia and Prussia. They joined forces against Napoleon I, who was the emperor of France. This moment was a big deal because it meant Prussia officially switched sides to fight against Napoleon.
What Was the Treaty of Kalisz?
The Treaty of Kalisz was a military alliance. It brought Russia and Prussia together. Their main goal was to defeat Napoleon's French Empire. This agreement was a key step in the War of the Sixth Coalition. This war saw many European countries unite against Napoleon.
How Did the Treaty Happen?
The path to the Treaty of Kalisz began a few months earlier. On 30 December 1812, an event called the Convention of Tauroggen took place. This was an agreement between a Prussian general, Ludwig Yorck von Wartenburg, and a Russian general, Hans Karl von Diebitsch.
General Yorck made this agreement for his Prussian troops. He did it without his king's permission. The Convention of Tauroggen made the Prussian army neutral. This meant they would not fight for Napoleon anymore.
People in Prussia were very excited about this news. But the Prussian king and his court were careful. They even ordered Yorck to be suspended from his command. They wanted to hold a court-martial for him.
However, things changed quickly. Just two months later, Prussia officially joined Russia. They signed the Treaty of Kalisz. This created a strong alliance. It was sometimes called the Kalisz Union. This alliance was a major challenge to Napoleon's power.
Why Was French Used?
It might seem strange, but the Treaty of Kalisz was written in French. This is interesting because the treaty was about fighting against France! At that time, French was the main language for diplomacy. It was used for important international agreements. This shows how much influence the French language had across Europe.
See also
- War of the Sixth Coalition
- Convention of Tauroggen
- List of treaties
- Treaty of Kalisz (1343)
