Napoleon's Retreat from Moscow 1812

Napoleon's invasion of Russia in 1812 was a catastrophic failure. Expecting a quick victory, he entered Moscow only to find it abandoned and burning. As winter set in, his army faced severe hardships, including harsh weather, lack of supplies, and constant attacks. The retreat from Moscow was marked by significant losses, with many soldiers dying from cold, hunger, and battle. The crossing of the Berezina River was a desperate attempt to escape encirclement. Ultimately, the campaign resulted in massive casualties and a severe blow to Napoleon's reputation, leading to a coalition of enemies against him.

What unexpected event did Napoleon encounter upon entering Moscow?

• Immediate peace negotiations with Alexander

• A grand welcome by Russian dignitaries

• A surprise attack by Russian forces

• A city largely abandoned and on fire

What was Napoleon's initial expectation upon reaching Moscow?

• To find the city in flames

• To receive a formal surrender

• To be met with resistance

• To find the city abandoned

Why did Napoleon decide to leave Moscow and head towards Smolensk?

• He wanted to regroup with Prussian allies

• The Russian winter was approaching

• He received a peace offer from Alexander

• His army was well-supplied for the journey

What did Napoleon hope to achieve by delaying his departure from Moscow?

• To gather more supplies

• To wait for a peace offer from Alexander

• To wait for reinforcements

• To strengthen his army

What was a major challenge faced by Napoleon's army during the retreat?

• Abundant food and resources

• Overwhelming support from local populations

• Severe cold and lack of supplies

• Lack of experienced soldiers

What was the condition of Napoleon's army as they approached Smolensk?

• Reinforced by allies

• Exhausted and lacking supplies

• Victorious over Russian forces

• Well-rested and well-supplied

How did Napoleon's army manage to cross the Berezina River?

• By building pontoon bridges

• By using existing bridges

• By negotiating with Russian forces

• By swimming across

What strategic error did Napoleon make during the retreat?

• Underestimating the Russian winter

• Overestimating his army's strength

• Choosing the wrong route

• All of the above

What was the outcome of Napoleon's Russian campaign?

• A successful peace treaty with Russia

• A stalemate with no significant losses

• A decisive French victory

• One of the greatest military disasters in history

How did Napoleon's campaign affect his empire?

• It led to a significant loss of prestige and resources

• It strengthened his hold over Europe

• It had no major impact

• It resulted in new alliances