the lion of the russian army - Florida State University

The showdown of two great powers was a culmination of a series of Franco-
Russian conflicts. After the disastrous defeat at Friedland, Alexander I was compelled to
make peace and concluded an alliance with Napoleon at Tilsit. However, he did not
forget the painful lessons of 1805-1807. Alexander was aware of the widespread
displeasure prevailing in Russia, particularly in the army, over the “ignominious” peace
of Tilsit. Humiliation was not the sole consequence of this treaty. Napoleon had forced
Alexander to join him in the Continental System. Russia had agreed to cease trade with
the Great Britain, prevent English ships from entering Russian ports and finally declare
war on England. Later, the participation of Russia in the Continental System caused
considerable economic losses to Russian landowners and merchants. Nevertheless,
Russia received benefit from this treaty. Napoleon agreed that the Tsar would take over
Finland and all the European possessions of Turkey, except for Rumelia.
Within a year of the Treaty of Tilsit, there was a marked deterioration in the
Franco-Russian relations. Napoleon and Alexander met at Erfurt in 1808 and, despite
discord on certain issues, relations between the two states seemed to be stabilized. Yet,
the fissures became evident the following year, when Russia took virtually no steps to
support France in their war with Austria. 20 Despite this reluctance to support France,
Napoleon ceded to Russia Eastern Galicia with Tarnople. Eventually, relations between
the two states became tense, reflecting signs of an approaching tempest. In the summer of
1810, the annexation of Holland to the French Empire was completed, three French
divisions were transferred to Baltic Germany in August and large ammunition depots
established in the Duchy of Warsaw. The Court of St. Petersburg was also affected by
émigré de Moustier, who served as one of King Louis XVI’s bodyguards and barely survived the
French Revolution.
20 The Russian role in 1809 Campaign is usually very criticized. However, Alexander’s
difficulties in fighting against Austria take on a new light when one considers two other
peripheral campaigns he waged against the Turks and the Swedes. In April 1809, three Russian
corps were crossing the Gulf of Bothnia to invade Sweden, while the Russian army in the Danube
Valley was engaged in protracted war against the Turks. For Russia, to support France in 1809
meant to wage three wars at the same time and Alexander could neither mobilize enough
resources in such short time nor divert additional forces from Finland or the Danubian
Principalities.
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