Napoleon Bonaparte invaded Russia in 1812 in one of his most ambitious and disastrous military campaigns, known as the Russian campaign or the "invasion of Russia." The goal of the invasion was to force Russia back into the Continental System, an economic blockade against Britain that Napoleon had established to weaken his arch-enemy.
Background to the Invasion:
Napoleon had previously pressured several European countries into joining the Continental System, but Russia, under Tsar Alexander I, began to violate this by opening its ports to British trade. This led to a conflict between the two leaders and ultimately to the invasion.
The Invasion:
On June 24, 1812, Napoleon crossed the Neman River with his Grande Armée, which consisted of over 600,000 soldiers from various parts of his European empire. Despite the size of his army, Napoleon faced significant resistance from the Russians, who employed a scorched-earth tactic, retreating while burning crops and villages to deny Napoleon's army resources.
The Battle of Borodino:
One of the most famous battles during the invasion was the Battle of Borodino on September 7, 1812, where Napoleon managed to achieve a tactical victory, but at great cost to both sides. Despite later occupying Moscow, Napoleon found the city abandoned and largely destroyed, making it impossible to sustain his army during the approaching winter.
The Retreat:
After waiting in Moscow without receiving any Russian capitulation, Napoleon decided to retreat in October 1812. The harsh Russian winter, combined with continuous attacks from Russian forces and partisans, turned the retreat into a disaster. Of the more than 600,000 soldiers who entered Russia, only a fraction returned to France.
Consequences:
The failed invasion of Russia marked a turning point in Napoleon's career. It severely weakened his army and encouraged several European countries to renew their war against him, ultimately leading to his defeat and abdication in 1814.

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