napoleon

• Alexander I initially joined anti-French coalitions, suffering massive defeats against Napoleon at the Battle of Austerlitz (1805) and the Battle of Friedland (1807). • The Raft Meeting: On June 25, 1807, the two monarchs met face-to-face on a raft moored in the middle of the Niemen River to negotiate peace. • Treaties of Tilsit: Alexander declared his hatred of Britain, and Napoleon offered generous terms—demanding no Russian territory. In return, Russia joined Napoleon's Continental System (a trade embargo against Great Britain). The "Bromance" and Mutual Fascination • Personal Rapport: During their weeks together in Tilsit, the two emperors spent hours reviewing troops, dining, and talking privately. • Napoleon's Impression: Napoleon was charmed by Alexander, famously remarking that he was "handsome, like a hero with all the graces of an amiable Parisian". • Alexander's Stance: Alexander appeared deeply impressed by Napoleon’s power and intellect, though modern historians note that Alexander's warmth was largely a calculated diplomatic maneuver to protect Russian interests. Breakdown of the Alliance • Growing Tensions: The alliance quickly strained because the Continental System devastated the Russian economy, and Napoleon fostered Polish nationalism by creating the Grand Duchy of Warsaw right on Russia's border (which Alexander viewed as a direct threat). • Inevitable Ruin: Alexander eventually refused to strictly enforce the anti-British blockade, prompting Napoleon to view Russia's defiance as a betrayal. • The 1812 Invasion: The partnership dissolved entirely when Napoleon launched his massive invasion of Russia in 1812—a disastrous campaign that crippled the French Grande Armée and set the stage for Napoleon's ultimate downfall.? Napoleon married Joséphine—a widowed aristocrat six years his senior—in March 1796, shortly before leaving to command the French army in Italy. ? Obsessive Letters: While away on campaign, Napoleon wrote frantic, intens