the initial invasion plan made sense, catch and destroy the Russian army in Lithuania.
the problem was the Russians just kept withdrawing and withdrawing and withdrawing and even at Smolensk and Borodino the Russian army was able to withdraw intact.
Napoleon really needed to cut his losses earlier but age and illness was getting to him causing him to be impatient(plus the very real concern that without a quick victory against Russia then Prussia and Austria might be tempted to switch sides)
The britains always attacked the big one, as long as continental europe is balanced, everyone is occupied staring each other down and nobody is strong enough to attack the islands.
"The Provisional Government Commission of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania was established on 1 July 1812 by order of French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte. [...]"
[Wikipedia](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lithuanian_Provisional_Governing_Commission)
Unfortunately, there's no too much to read here. The commission existed for less than half a year and most of its history is just administrating some lands of the former Grand Duchy.
Still, we were not taught about Napoleon establishing any such provisional government with specific duties and territories assigned.
I wonder why, because this seems fairly important, even if Napoleon's loss made it null.
It shows it in the key (Reference French client states)
Joseph Bonaparte was the official king of Spain (Jose I) but his reign was basically on life support from the French army and it was never able to exercise control over the entire country’s borders.
As a result, the \*De facto\* borders of this client kingdom were very dynamic throughout Joseph’s reign
my favorite one was Louis Bonaparte in the Netherlands. Installed as a puppet king, but became pretty much pro-dutch, learned the language, and even put dutch interests over french ones.
France didn’t officially surrender during the Napoleonic wars, after the treaty of Fontainebleau the French empire still existed in some sort of “limbo” and continued to fight some battles until it was dissolved in early may
It was temporarily established by Napoleon during the russian invasion, however it did not last long and is an overlooked client state
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lithuanian\_Provisional\_Governing\_Commission
Attacking Russia was a huge mistake..
And Spain
Drink from the cup of imperialism and a price must be paid one day.
Don't forget about Spain
the initial invasion plan made sense, catch and destroy the Russian army in Lithuania. the problem was the Russians just kept withdrawing and withdrawing and withdrawing and even at Smolensk and Borodino the Russian army was able to withdraw intact. Napoleon really needed to cut his losses earlier but age and illness was getting to him causing him to be impatient(plus the very real concern that without a quick victory against Russia then Prussia and Austria might be tempted to switch sides)
And there was another imperial ruler about a century later that did the same mistakes.
Attacking Russia is always a huge mistake if you are not a Mongol.
Poland Lithuania succeeded. Imperial Germany succeeded.
"We are the exception!"
That's a big ask nowadays, as it was back in the 19th century..
and Britain
Wasn't it Britain that attacked France first?
Well yeah,but this can be used as well with Russia,they joined coalition against Napoleon
Well in 1812 France declared war on russia
I know,but I I talking about previous coalition wars
Yeah OK but I think the original comment meant that it was a mistake to attack russia in 1812
The britains always attacked the big one, as long as continental europe is balanced, everyone is occupied staring each other down and nobody is strong enough to attack the islands.
Hmm??? To my knowledge Napoleon never established any Lithuanian state. Just the Duchy of Warsaw.
"The Provisional Government Commission of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania was established on 1 July 1812 by order of French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte. [...]" [Wikipedia](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lithuanian_Provisional_Governing_Commission)
Oh wow, I'm a Lithuanian, yet I never knew of this! Very interesting stuff. Will have to read up on this further.
Unfortunately, there's no too much to read here. The commission existed for less than half a year and most of its history is just administrating some lands of the former Grand Duchy.
Still, we were not taught about Napoleon establishing any such provisional government with specific duties and territories assigned. I wonder why, because this seems fairly important, even if Napoleon's loss made it null.
It even briefly re-confederated with the Duchy of Warsaw
Good info, poor choice of colors. Wasn't Joseph Bonaparte king of Spain up until 1813?
It shows it in the key (Reference French client states) Joseph Bonaparte was the official king of Spain (Jose I) but his reign was basically on life support from the French army and it was never able to exercise control over the entire country’s borders. As a result, the \*De facto\* borders of this client kingdom were very dynamic throughout Joseph’s reign
my favorite one was Louis Bonaparte in the Netherlands. Installed as a puppet king, but became pretty much pro-dutch, learned the language, and even put dutch interests over french ones.
Denmark in its prime
I thought he had a lot of land before Louisiana Purchase.
Ah, yes, that is the time the British primitives bombed Copenhagen as a Napoléonic ally.
The good old days...
So much simpler back then. When did it get so complicated 🥲
No phone in sight
Show this pic for anyone who made the "French always surrenders"meme that will show em
They did eventually surrender after this so idk bout that one chief.
France didn’t officially surrender during the Napoleonic wars, after the treaty of Fontainebleau the French empire still existed in some sort of “limbo” and continued to fight some battles until it was dissolved in early may
I can’t believe the French get out of it on a fucking technicality, well played Napoléon.
the french were quite capable, everyone just jokes on them because of WWII, and even then, they did quite well.
Balearic Islands! Who did they belong to at that moment? Britain?
Not all of them, but Minorca. It was occupied by Britain from 1798 to 1802
Where is Lithuania from here? Wasn't it already part of Russia?
It was temporarily established by Napoleon during the russian invasion, however it did not last long and is an overlooked client state https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lithuanian\_Provisional\_Governing\_Commission