"Facts about Alexander I, the emperor who defeated" Topic

…Napoleon

"He often walked the streets of St. Petersburg without an entourage or guards – and, at the same time, was suspicious of his subordinates. He defeated Napoleon, but did not command the army himself. Russians called Alexander "the sphinx who remained an enigma to the grave"…."

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Armand

I find his brother Constantine an interesting character. From what I have read, he was a truly nasty piece of work. Russia was likely saved from another reign of terror when he renounced his claim to the Russian throne.

Constantine probably knew he wasn't going to last too long.
Have Czar Alexander and Constantine in figures

Constantine rule Poland… poor Polish people…

Armand

Armand, what I find surprising is that he ended-up marrying a Polish woman. From the little I know, I believe that his renunciation of the throne was brought about by his desire to divorce his German wife so that he could marry the Pole? Why not keep the throne and simply keep a mistress? I

There was no way the Russians would accept him as a possible Tsar… his brother didn't agree either since he knew him very well… they gave him Poland as a consolation prize… I ignored the divorce issue…

Armand

Alexandre didnt defeat Napoleon, even after 1812 Russia without the entire allied forces of Russia, Pri#ussia, Austria and Britain plus numerous other smaller contigents he, Alexadre was a little boy playing. His Brrother Constantine was even worse a hot headed idiot, Constantine didnt hgave the capacity with the world behind him to beat Napoleon

At least… he wasn't a coward… he charged at the head of the Russian Cavalry many times…

Armand

marmont1814, as far as I remember, in 1812 the Austrian and Prussian corps (like many others) were part of Napoleon's army that invaded Russia.

Alexander I is not a military leader, but a politician and head of state. If he had made peace with Napoleon and joined the blockade of Great Britain, and also contributed to the campaign against India (possibly with the participation of the Russian army), who knows how history would have turned out. Would there even be a grand coalition if Russia were conquered?

The economics of Imperial Russian exports – chiefly to Britain – Flax, hemp, tallow, bar iron, and timber.

Taylor and Francis – ATTMAN, Artur: The Russian market in world trade, 1500–1860

This rather tied Alexander's hand behind his back vis-a-vis joining Bonaparte's Continental Blockade.

Yes, I know, the British fleet has long been largely built on materials supplied from Russia. But Alexander, in addition to economic reasons, had a big personal claim on Napoleon.

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Not only economic… The bad vibes started after the military defeat at Friedland in 1807 and when Napoleon decided to marry an Austrian princess instead of a Russian one…

Armand

Hmm… Most historians are inclined to believe that it was the Romanov family that avoided family ties with Napoleon in every possible way. Otherwise, they would not have postponed the marriage under various pretexts for a long time:

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Chapter 7 in Royalty in age of Alexander I is a eye opener for me. Tilsit almost might have been a quick end for Alexander it seems.

Thanks

Armand