jan 1, 1812 - Invation of France to Moscow

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Tsar Alexander I of Russia refuses to abide by Napoleon’s policy forbidding trade with Britain. Napoleon begins an ill-fated invasion of Russia. He reaches Moscow in September but finds the city abandoned. A huge fire breaks out that same day, destroying the greater part of the town. Since it is impossible to winter in the ruined city, Napoleon begins a retreat in October across the snow-covered plains. The retreat from Moscow is one of the great disasters of military history. Of the some 600,000 troops who had set out with Napoleon’s Grand Army in June, fewer than 10,000 men fit for combat remained with his main force by November.

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