The French Revolution dealt a blow to the European political system. Europe entered the 19th century with the thunder of Napoleon's cannons. Russia at that time already occupied one of the leading places on the European continent, whose states sought to prevent the establishment of French domination there. International relations at the beginning of the 19th century were weighed down by complex contradictions between the European powers, which had their roots in the past century.

III COALITION

In 1802, Napoleon declared himself consul for life, and in 1804, emperor of France. At the same time, he continued the continuous seizure of new territories in Italy and Germany, striving for hegemony in Europe. In 1803, hostilities began again between England and France. Therefore, since 1803, Russian diplomacy began to develop a new foreign policy doctrine, moving on to the formation of an anti-Napoleonic coalition. Its creation accelerated after the execution on March 21, 1804 of the Duke of Enghien, a prince from the House of Bourbon, accused of organizing an attempt on the life of Napoleon. This crime aroused indignation throughout Europe not only for its cruelty, but also because this action was a gross violation of international law - a violation of the sovereignty of Baden, on whose territory the duke was captured.

In April 1805, a Russian-English agreement was signed, which was soon joined by Austria. This event was the beginning of the formation of the third anti-Napoleonic coalition, which also included Sweden, the Ottoman Empire, the Kingdom of Naples.

In August 1805, at the head of the Russian army, he moved to Austria. However, already on October 8 (20), 1805, the Austrian army of General Mack capitulated in Ulm, and soon Napoleon's troops occupied Vienna. All this put the Russian troops in an extremely difficult position. In this situation, the 5,000th corps of P.I. Bagration, who managed on November 4 (16), 1805 to detain the 30,000th army of Murat near Shengraben. Thus, Napoleon's attempt to defeat the Russian army was unsuccessful, since M.I. Kutuzov a number of skillful maneuvers managed to avoid a major battle. He proposed to withdraw the Russian-Austrian troops to the east and gather sufficient forces for the successful conduct of hostilities. However, the opinion of the Austrian General Staff, supported by Alexander I, triumphed - to conduct a general battle. On November 20 (December 2), 1805, a battle took place near Austerlitz between the Russian-Austrian and French troops, which ended with the victory of the French. Immediately after Austerlitz, Austria was forced to sign the humiliating Peace of Pressburg, and Russia to cease hostilities and recall the expeditionary force.

"WE ARE NOT ON Tsarina's Meadow"

Thanks to the courage of P.I. Bagration at Shengraben, Russian-Austrian troops occupied well-fortified positions in the Olshan region. Napoleon did not dare to attack these positions, resorting to cunning. He spread a rumor about the deplorable state of his army and in every possible way showed his inability to conduct further hostilities. The trick worked. Alexander I, fearing to miss Napoleon, ordered Kutuzov to go on the offensive. After the battle of Austerlitz began, the emperor said to Kutuzov: “Why don’t you attack? After all, we are not Tsaritsyn Meadow, where they don’t start the parade until all the regiments arrive. ” Kutuzov replied: “Sire, that’s why I don’t attack, because we are not on Tsaritsyn Meadow.” Nevertheless, Kutuzov had to fulfill the imperial order, which led to the defeat of the Russian-Austrian troops.

IV COALITION

By the autumn of 1806, the need to create a new anti-Napoleonic coalition became obvious to the St. Petersburg ruling circles, especially since at that time Prussia was heading towards a confrontation with Napoleon. In July 1806, the Confederation of the Rhine German States was created, in which Bavaria played the main role. Napoleon became the protector of this association. Thus collapsed the calculations of the Prussian government to assist Napoleon in strengthening its position in Germany. Thus, at the end of 1806, a new, IV anti-Napoleonic coalition was formed, consisting of Russia, England, Prussia and Sweden.

Military operations unfolded rapidly. On October 14, 1806, Napoleon defeated the Prussian army at Jena and Auerstedt, and the French troops took Berlin. The war was moved to the territory of East Prussia. On November 21, 1806, in Berlin, Napoleon announced a continental blockade of England - a ban on all countries subject to France from trading and maintaining diplomatic relations with the British Isles.

However, Napoleon failed to achieve an equally lightning-fast defeat of the Russian army. In the bloody battle that took place on January 26-27, 1807 at Preussish-Eylau, Russian troops under the command of L.L. Bennigsen managed to repel the onslaught of the French army, but on June 2, 1807, at Friedland, the Russian army was defeated and was forced to retreat behind the Neman. French troops went directly to the borders of Russia. Emperor Alexander I was forced to bow to peace, which was signed in the city of Tilsit.

THE WORLD OF TILSIT

Russian-French negotiations took place in several stages. On June 21, 1807, an armistice was signed, ratified by Alexander on June 23. June 25 (July 7), 1807 on the river. The famous meeting of the emperors took place on a raft on the Neman, the purpose of which was to sign a peace treaty. The position of Alexander I was as follows: Russia's refusal of an alliance with Great Britain and the recognition of the changes that took place in Europe during the Napoleonic wars. The Russian emperor sought Napoleon's non-intervention in Russian-Ottoman relations and the preservation of the territorial integrity of Prussia, led by Friedrich Wilhelm III. Napoleon's goal was to achieve the establishment of allied relations with Russia, which were necessary for the French emperor to complete his conquests in the Iberian Peninsula and to successfully fight Great Britain.

As a result of tense negotiations in Tilsit, two documents were signed: a peace treaty and a secret alliance treaty. Under the terms of the peace treaty, Russia agreed to the exclusion from Prussia of the lands on the left bank of the Elbe. From the Polish territories belonging to Prussia, the Duchy of Warsaw was formed under the protectorate of Napoleon. The city of Danzig (Gdansk) became a free city, and the Bialystok district went to Russia. France assumed mediation in the settlement of Russian-Ottoman relations. The treaty of alliance provided for joint action by the powers against any third power hostile to them. Russia assumed the role of a mediator in settling Franco-English relations, and in the event of Britain's refusal to make peace, the obligation to break off all relations with it and join the continental blockade by the end of 1807.

The Russian public reacted negatively to the signing of the Tilsit agreements, and Alexander's policy was sharply criticized in aristocratic, diplomatic and military circles. Russian diplomacy failed to defend its positions to the end. In Tilsit, Alexander had to cede to Napoleon those lands that had already been conquered by him. However, each of the parties could interpret their future obligations to each other quite broadly, which allowed the Russian government to retain the possibility of diplomatic maneuver and made the resumption of the struggle a reality.

ERFURT DATE

The agreement reached in Tilsit did not remove all the sharpness of the contradictions between the two countries. France used the union with Russia to expand its expansion in Europe. However, at that time, Napoleon was plagued by political setbacks closely related to the struggle of Spain against his dominion. This struggle awakened in other European nations the consciousness that Napoleonic aggression could be successfully resisted. Napoleon, on the other hand, concentrated all his forces and resources on keeping enslaved Europe in obedience. In this regard, the need to demonstrate an alliance with Russia became more and more urgent for Napoleon.

On September 28, 1808, new negotiations between Napoleon and Alexander opened in Erfurt, which continued until October 14. Wanting to impress Alexander, Napoleon invited numerous sovereigns to Erfurt who recognized his suzerainty. The splendor and solemnity of the events, the brilliant parades of the imperial guard, numerous balls, theatrical performances of actors who specially arrived from Paris were supposed to convince Europe of the strength of the alliance between the two emperors.

The Erfurt Convention confirmed the Tilsit Treaty. France recognized Russia's rights to Finland and the Danubian Principalities. Alexander I refused to actively participate in the Napoleonic wars against Austria and Great Britain. Napoleon, on the other hand, showed intransigence on Polish and Prussian issues: he flatly refused to withdraw his troops from Prussia until the indemnity was paid in full, refused to assume obligations not to contribute to the expansion of the territory of the Duchy of Warsaw. Thus, the Erfurt agreement was another political compromise, without removing the tension in Russian-French relations.

After the signing of this treaty, Russia was forced to take the side of Napoleon in his war with Austria, which began in the spring of 1809. Although on the Russian side it was more like a demonstration of military power than actual participation in hostilities, Napoleon, after his victory in 1810, transferred the eastern part of Galicia (Tarnopol district) to Russia.

THE RUSSIAN STATE SHOULD BE AN ALLY OF THE FRENCH PEOPLE

Another significant event took place in Erfurt. Former French Foreign Minister Talleyrand (he left this post in 1807 - immediately after the conclusion of the Tilsit peace), who was Napoleon's consultant at the congress, offered secret cooperation to Alexander I. They were driven not only by material considerations. At that time, Talleyrand understood more and more clearly the doom of Napoleon's policy. In Erfurt, Talleyrand told the Russian emperor: “You must save Europe, and you will succeed in this only if you resist Napoleon. The French people are civilized, the French sovereign is uncivilized; the Russian sovereign is civilized, and the Russian people are uncivilized. Therefore, the Russian sovereign must be an ally of the French people.”

Talleyrand's correspondence was strictly conspiratorial and transmitted to St. Petersburg through K.V. Nesselrode - at that time a member of the Russian embassy in Paris. “My cousin Henri”, “my friend”, “Ta”, “Anna Ivanovna”, “our bookseller”, “handsome Leandre”, “legal adviser” - these are the names Talleyrand was designated in secret correspondence between Nesselrode and St. Petersburg. Talleyrand's messages were very valuable: he informed that the composition of the French army had become worse than it was before, pointed out the need for a speedy end to the war with the Ottoman Empire (against Napoleon's advice), and provided information about the immediate plans of the French emperor - an attack on Russia.

One of the most important historical documents signed by Russia is the Treaty of Tilsit. It was signed on July 9, 1807 between France and Russia, and it was ratified by the emperors of both states: Napoleon and Alexander I. The historical significance of this treaty can hardly be overestimated for the reason that as a result, the two strongest powers on the continent were able to conclude an alliance with each other, and peace has finally come to Europe itself.

Prerequisites for an agreement

As of 1807, the situation in Europe looked very interesting - almost the entire continent was completely captured by French troops. In his autobiography, Napoleon wrote that for the complete conquest of Europe, the obligatory condition is the destruction of England. As for Russia, here he saw rather his ally than an enemy. It is likely that this was the key reason for the creation of the Tilsit world, why it even got its right to exist. Of course, everything is not limited to this, in fact, Napoleon himself hatched a plan for the destruction of England for a long time, and he would not have been able to defeat the enemy at sea. Thus, Napoleon decided to create a peace treaty with Russia, which would create a united front for combat operations with England. Alexander 1, in turn, was well aware that his coalition with Prussia, England and Sweden collapsed, as Napoleon won victory after victory, and the position of the allies became more and more precarious every day.

Negotiation

On June 12, 1807, the French army, under the personal leadership of Napoleon, won a complete and unconditional victory over the Russian troops. Despite his victory, Napoleon decided to abandon the pursuit of his enemy, which only proved once again that an alliance with Russia was much more important to him than enmity. Napoleon offered peace, which convinced Alexander the First that France did not consider Russia as its own enemy.
In general, the position of Russia at that time was extremely precarious. The last defeat of Alexander's army played a paramount role in this. As a result, he decided to put forward only two conditions of his own:

The meeting with France must take place on no-man's-land, independent land. Not on the territory of France, Russia and their satellites.

Russia does not recognize any claims to the geographical integrity of its side.

Napoleon nevertheless convinced the Russian ambassadors that both points put forward by Alexander would be fully implemented, without exception. Thus, he was the first to open the way for a meeting with the Russian emperor.
It was decided to hold negotiations between Russia and France on the Neman River, and in its middle. A special raft was installed there, where a tent was deployed. There both emperors of the greatest states met. The negotiations took place on June 25, 1807, and they became the basis for the signing of the Peace of Tilsit.

Judging by historical documents, one can find references to Alexander, where he assures Bonaparte that from the moment the peace agreement was created, England for both countries will be the only common enemy. Napoleon, in turn, noted that in this case there would be no problems in terms of creating a peace agreement between Russia and France.
This is what many history textbooks say. However, none of them indicate the reasons why France and Russia waged war among themselves for a long six years, despite the fact that they had a common enemy and it seemed that all the agreements were observed, without any or disagreements.

The fate of Prussia

The negotiations themselves between the two emperors of the most powerful and strongest states at that time lasted no more than one hour. During this time, the emperor of Prussia stood and waited on the river bank. He hoped and counted on the fact that the Emperor of France would agree to receive him, so that they could jointly discuss the future fate of the German state. Despite this, Bonaparte was firm in his intention - Prussia must at all costs disappear from the face of the map of Europe. Actually, Napoleon proposed to Alexander, arguing that: “This is a vile nation, led by a vile monarch, in his submission a vile army. They have always betrayed everyone, and does not deserve to continue to exist.” Russia's participation in the war helped to preserve Prussia as a state.

terms of the peace agreement

As it was said, the negotiations between the emperors of the two powers took place very quickly. Despite the fact that they lasted only one hour, they managed to agree on everything. The emperors stayed in Tilsitt for two whole weeks. Oddly enough, the emperors for this period of time were practically inseparable, like friends who have known each other since childhood. Of course, in this way they tried to create prospects for signing peace. Actually, the Tilsit peace was signed. His terms were:

Russia recognizes all territories conquered by Napoleon in Europe.

Russian troops join the continental blockade against England. This meant that Alexander completely breaks all trade and other agreements with England and forbids the entry of sea vessels into the territories owned by Russia.

A military alliance is signed between France and Russia, under the terms of which each power is obliged to support the other in the event of the outbreak of any kind of hostilities. For example, during offensive or defensive actions.

Polish lands departed from Prussia. A new state was created on this territory - the Duchy of Warsaw, which was directly dependent on France.

Russia without fail recognizes all proteges who were placed by Napoleon on the throne of various European powers.

France ceases to provide any assistance to Turkey, and Russia in response is obliged to withdraw its troops from the territory of Moldova and Wallachia.

Absolute recognition, by all parties to the agreements, created earlier by the Confederation of the Rhine.

Significance of the Peace of Tilsit

This is an extremely beneficial agreement for both countries. However, one cannot share the opinion of many different historians who attribute this to the success of domestic diplomacy. Many believe that Napoleon, having offered to conclude such an agreement, actually independently did all the necessary work for Alexander, offering extremely favorable and good conditions for him. Both countries were in an advantageous position. So, for example, Russia now could not worry about the fact that France would interfere in its confrontation with Turkey, respectively, we could better focus on this. Napoleon, in turn, could fully enjoy the peace that reigns in Europe. The only warring party remained - England and France began to actively prepare to fight it.

The peace of Tilsit turned out to be extremely beneficial for the emperors of both countries, which they undoubtedly were glad about. Nevertheless, despite its positive "impact", the Treaty of Tilsit did not last so long - until 1812, when the Patriotic War began.

Peace of Tilsit- a peace treaty concluded between June 13 (25) and June 25 (July 7) in Tilsit (now the city of Sovetsk in the Kaliningrad region) between Alexander I and Napoleon after the War of the Fourth Coalition -1807, in which Russia helped Prussia.

Story

The main point of the Treaty of Tilsit was not published at that time: Russia and France pledged to help each other in any offensive and defensive war, where circumstances so required. This close alliance eliminated Napoleon's only strong rival on the Continent; England remained isolated; both powers pledged by all means to compel the rest of Europe to comply with the continental system. On July 7, 1807, the treaty was signed by both emperors. The Peace of Tilsit raised Napoleon to the pinnacle of power, and put Emperor Alexander in a difficult position. The feeling of resentment in the metropolitan circles was great. “Tilsit! .. (at the sound of this offensive / Now Ross will not turn pale),” wrote Alexander Pushkin 14 years later. Subsequently, they looked at the Patriotic War of 1812 precisely as an event that “smoothed out” the Peace of Tilsit. In general, the significance of the Peace of Tilsit was very great: from 1807, Napoleon began a much bolder reign in Europe than before.

Peace terms

• Russia recognized all the conquests of Napoleon.
• Accession of Russia to the continental blockade against England (secret agreement). Russia must completely abandon trade with its main partner (in particular, the terms of the peace treaty ordered Russia to completely exclude the export of hemp to the UK) and, together with France, influence Austria, Denmark, Sweden and Portugal with the same goals.
• Russia and France pledged to help each other in every offensive and defensive war, wherever circumstances so require. So during the war with Sweden (1808-1809), with the support of France, Russia acquired Finland. At the same time, Russia did not actually provide assistance to France in its war with Austria in 1809, an auxiliary corps under the terms of peace.
• On the territory of the Polish possessions of Prussia, the Duchy of Warsaw was formed, dependent on France.
• The territory of Prussia was significantly reduced (the Polish regions were torn away, as well as Hanover, the County of Mark, occupied by Prussia in 1806, with the cities of Essen, Verden and Lippstadt, the County of Ravensberg, the cities of Lingen and Tecklenburg, the Principality of Minden, East Frisia, Munster, Paderborn, Cleve and Eastern bank of the Rhine), although it was preserved as an independent state and turned into a state dependent on France.
• Russia was withdrawing its troops from Moldavia and Wallachia, conquered from Turkey.
• Russia tacitly undertook not to interfere with Napoleon in establishing control over the Ionian Islands, and a few months later they became part of the Illyrian provinces of France.
• France ceased to provide assistance to Turkey in the Russian-Turkish war of 1806-1812.
• Recognition by Russia of Joseph Bonaparte as King of Naples and Louis Bonaparte as King of Holland, Jerome Bonaparte as King of Westphalia.
• Russian recognition of the Confederation of the Rhine.

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Literature

• Schilder, "Imp. Alexander I" (1900)
• Vandal, "Alexandre I et Napoleon" (Par., 1897)

Notes

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An excerpt characterizing the Peace of Tilsit

“Whatever the grief,” continued Prince Andrei, “I ask you, m lle Sophie, no matter what happens, turn to him alone for advice and help. This is the most absent-minded and funny person, but the most golden heart.
Neither father and mother, nor Sonya, nor Prince Andrei himself could foresee how parting with her fiancé would affect Natasha. Red and agitated, with dry eyes, she walked around the house that day, doing the most insignificant things, as if not understanding what awaited her. She did not cry even at the moment when he said goodbye, he kissed her hand for the last time. - Don't leave! she only said to him in a voice that made him wonder if he really needed to stay and which he remembered for a long time after that. When he left, she didn't cry either; but for several days she sat in her room without crying, was not interested in anything, and only sometimes said: “Ah, why did he leave!”
But two weeks after his departure, just as unexpectedly for those around her, she woke up from her moral illness, became the same as before, but only with a changed moral physiognomy, like children with a different face get out of bed after a long illness.

The health and character of Prince Nikolai Andreevich Bolkonsky, in this last year after the departure of his son, became very weak. He became even more irritable than before, and all the outbursts of his causeless anger for the most part fell upon Princess Mary. It was as if he diligently sought out all her sore spots in order to torture her morally as cruelly as possible. Princess Marya had two passions and therefore two joys: her nephew Nikolushka and religion, both of which were favorite themes of the prince's attacks and ridicule. Whatever they talked about, he reduced the conversation to the superstitions of old girls or to pampering and spoiling children. - “You want to make him (Nikolenka) the same old girl as you yourself; in vain: Prince Andrei needs a son, not a girl, ”he said. Or, turning to mademoiselle Bourime, he asked her in front of Princess Mary how she liked our priests and images, and joked ...
He incessantly painfully insulted Princess Mary, but the daughter did not even make an effort on herself to forgive him. How could he be guilty before her, and how could her father, who, she still knew it, loved her, be unjust? And what is justice? The princess never thought about this proud word: "justice." All the complex laws of mankind were concentrated for her in one simple and clear law - in the law of love and self-denial, taught to us by Him Who suffered with love for humanity, when He himself is God. What did she care about the justice or injustice of other people? She had to suffer and love herself, and she did it.
In winter, Prince Andrei came to the Bald Mountains, he was cheerful, meek and gentle, as Princess Mary had not seen him for a long time. She foresaw that something had happened to him, but he did not say anything to Princess Mary about his love. Before leaving, Prince Andrei had a long conversation about something with his father, and Princess Marya noticed that before leaving, both were dissatisfied with each other.
Shortly after the departure of Prince Andrei, Princess Mary wrote from Lysy Gory to Petersburg to her friend Julie Karagina, whom Princess Mary dreamed, as girls always dream, of marrying off her brother, and who at that time was in mourning on the occasion of the death of her brother, who was killed in Turkey.
“Sorrow, apparently, is our common destiny, dear and gentle friend Julieie.”
“Your loss is so terrible that I cannot explain it to myself otherwise than as a special favor of God, who wants to experience - loving you - you and your excellent mother. Ah, my friend, religion, and only one religion, can comfort us, not to say, but deliver us from despair; one religion can explain to us what a person cannot understand without its help: why, why are good, exalted beings who know how to find happiness in life, not only not harming anyone, but necessary for the happiness of others - are called to God, but remain to live evil, useless, harmful, or those that are a burden to themselves and others. The first death I saw and will never forget, the death of my dear sister-in-law, made such an impression on me. Just as you ask fate, why did your beautiful brother die, in the same way I asked why this angel Liza died, who not only did not do any harm to a person, but never had other good thoughts in her soul . And well, my friend, five years have passed since then, and I, with my insignificant mind, already begin to clearly understand why she had to die, and how this death was only an expression of the infinite goodness of the Creator, all of whose actions , although we mostly do not understand them, are only manifestations of His infinite love for His creation. Maybe, I often think, she was too angelically innocent to have the strength to bear all the responsibilities of a mother. She was flawless as a young wife; perhaps she could not be such a mother. Now, not only did she leave us, and especially Prince Andrei, the purest regret and recollection, she will probably get there the place that I do not dare to hope for myself. But, not to mention her alone, this early and terrible death had the most beneficial effect, despite all the sadness, on me and on my brother. Then, in the moment of loss, these thoughts could not come to me; then I would have driven them away with horror, but now it is so clear and undeniable. I am writing all this to you, my friend, only to convince you of the gospel truth, which has become a life rule for me: not a single hair will fall from my head without His will. And His will is guided only by one boundless love for us, and therefore everything that happens to us is all for our good. Are you asking if we will spend next winter in Moscow? Despite all the desire to see you, I do not think and do not want it. And you will be surprised that the reason for this is Buonaparte. And here's why: my father's health is noticeably weakening: he cannot bear contradictions and becomes irritable. This irritability, as you know, is mainly directed towards political affairs. He cannot bear the thought that Buonaparte deals with all the sovereigns of Europe as equals, and especially with our grandson of Great Catherine! As you know, I am completely indifferent to political affairs, but from the words of my father and his conversations with Mikhail Ivanovich, I know everything that is happening in the world, and in particular all the honors paid to Buonaparte, who, it seems, is still only in Lysy Mountains throughout the globe are not recognized either as a great man, or even less as a French emperor. And my father can't stand it. It seems to me that my father, mainly because of his view of political affairs and foreseeing the clashes that he will have, because of his manner, not embarrassed to express his opinions with anyone, is reluctant to talk about a trip to Moscow. Whatever he gains from the treatment, he will lose in the inevitable Buonaparte controversy. In any case, this will be resolved very soon. Our family life goes on as before, with the exception of the presence of brother Andrei. He, as I wrote to you, has changed a lot lately. After his grief, only now, this year, he completely morally revived. He became the way I knew him as a child: kind, gentle, with that golden heart, to which I know no equal. He realized, it seems to me, that life is not over for him. But along with this moral change, he became very physically weak. He became thinner than before, more nervous. I fear for him and am glad that he has undertaken this trip abroad, which the doctors have long prescribed for him. I hope this fixes it. You write to me that in Petersburg they talk about him as one of the most active, educated and intelligent young people. Forgive the pride of kinship - I never doubted it. It is impossible to count the good that he did here to everyone, from his peasants to the nobles. Arriving in Petersburg, he took only what he should have. I am surprised how rumors reach Moscow from Petersburg at all, and especially such false ones as the one you write to me about - a rumor about an imaginary marriage of a brother to little Rostova. I don't think Andrew will ever marry anyone, and especially not her. And here's why: firstly, I know that although he rarely talks about his deceased wife, the sadness of this loss is too deeply rooted in his heart for him to ever decide to give her a successor and stepmother to our little angel. Secondly, because, as far as I know, this girl is not from the category of women that Prince Andrei might like. I do not think that Prince Andrei would choose her as his wife, and I will frankly say: I do not want this. But I chatted, I'm finishing my second sheet. Farewell, my dear friend; may God keep you under His holy and mighty cover. My dear friend, mademoiselle Bourienne, kisses you.

Having received news of her, he ordered Lobanov-Rostovsky to go to the French camp for peace negotiations.

Napoleon was in the Prussian town of Tilsit, on the banks of the Neman. On the opposite bank of the same river stood the Russian and the remnants of the Prussian army. Despite the Friedland defeat, Russia could well continue to fight France, but it became increasingly evident that the European allies of the Russians in this and previous wars against the French behaved extremely selfishly. The Austrians did not help Suvorov well in his Italian and especially Swiss campaigns, and they preferred to withdraw from the next war of the Third Coalition immediately after the battle of Austerlitz. Napoleon's main enemy in the West - England - generally preferred not to send armies to the land theater. Using her maritime predominance, she seized the French colonies, and sent only not too generous subsidies to the continental allies. Prussia turned out to be a very weak and indecisive partner.

Given all this, Alexander I decided to drastically change the course of his foreign policy, breaking off relations with his former unfaithful "friends" and drawing closer to his recent adversary, Bonaparte. Napoleon, who was very respectful of Russian power, happily accepted a new diplomatic combination, the essence of which was to Russia and France made an alliance for joint dominance over the European continent .

On June 25, 1807, the Russian and French sovereigns met on a raft in the middle of the Neman and talked alone for about an hour in a covered pavilion. The next day they met in the city of Tilsit itself. Napoleon proposed that Russia take over the east of Europe, leaving him supremacy in the west. After the victory over Prussia, Bonaparte was going to revise the internal German borders and make most of the German states dependent on him. Asking for the consent of Alexander I, in exchange he offered Russia to strengthen itself at the expense of Sweden (having taken away Finland from it) and Turkey (with which the Russians had started another war shortly before).

The peace of Tilsit was concluded by both emperors on these conditions on July 8, 1807. Negotiating the details of the agreement, Napoleon hoped to extract many benefits for France by the charming influence of his personality, but soon, not without surprise, he had to recognize the diplomatic skill of the king. Alexander, with his affectionate smile, soft speech, and amiable manner, was far from being as accommodating as his new ally would have liked. “This is a real Byzantine Greek!” [that is, a cunning, sophisticated and dexterous person] - Napoleon spoke about him to his entourage. Bonaparte, as they say, at first inclined to completely destroy Prussia, but Alexander persuaded him to keep about half of the former possessions for her king. In token of respect for the Russian emperor(en considération de l "empereur de Russie) Napoleon left old Prussia, Brandenburg, Pomerania and Silesia to the Prussian king. Of the territories taken from Prussia, Napoleon gave the provinces on the left bank of the Elbe to his brother Jerome, and the former Polish provinces to the Saxon king. All installed Napoleon in Germany, the monarchs were recognized by Russia and Prussia.

The main point of the Tilsit Treaty then remained a secret: Russia and France pledged to help each other in any war if one of the parties requests this. Napoleon's main European rival, England, fell into almost complete diplomatic isolation. Russia and France pledged to force the rest of Europe to comply with the anti-British trade continental blockade.

The peace of Tilsit was very beneficial for Russia. Thanks to him, it became possible for Finland to join Russia in war with the Swedes 1808-1809 and the continuation of the struggle against the Turks, which later ended with the conquest of Bessarabia and the strengthening of our influence in the Balkans. But the fact that Alexander I concluded the Treaty of Tilsit after a military defeat, reconciled with those who inflicted this defeat, made a painful impression on Russian society, accustomed to continuous victories over the years of Catherine II and Paul. In Russia, many (both then and even now) were inclined to consider this world imposed, forced. The treatise of Tilsit aroused strong patriotic opposition to Alexander in the highest circles of St. Petersburg, although the great benefits he brought to Russia were further expanded during the Erfurt meeting of the two emperors in 1808. The Patriotic War of 1812, to which, rather, the intransigence of not Napoleon, but Alexander I, was subsequently looked upon in Russia as an event that smoothed over the “shameful” Tilsit peace. "Tilsit! At the sound of this offensive, Ross will not blush now, ”Pushkin wrote 14 years later. Nowadays, however, A. I. Solzhenitsyn more balanced points out in the work "The Russian Question" by the end of the 20th century":

... offended by England for its indifference, Alexander rushed into friendship with Napoleon - the Peace of Tilsit (1807). It is impossible not to recognize this step as the most advantageous for Russia at that time - and to stick to this line of neutral-favorable relations, ignoring the grumbling of the higher salons of St. would remain for Russia). - But even here Alexander did not want to remain inactive at all. No, the Peace of Tilsit and the outbreak of the Turkish War were not enough for Alexander: in the same 1807 he declared war on England; Napoleon "offered to take Finland" from Sweden - and Alexander entered (1808) into Finland and took it away from Sweden - but why? another unbearable burden on the Russian shoulders. And he did not want a truce with Turkey at the cost of withdrawing troops from Moldavia and Wallachia, again Russian troops in Bucharest. (Napoleon “offered” Russia and Moldavia-Wallachia, and, indeed, Turkey, to be divided together with France, to open the way for Napoleon to India), and after the coup in Constantinople, he was even more eager to attack Turkey. - But without all these rampant seizures - why was it not to stick to the Tilsit peace that was so beneficial to Russia, to remain alone from the European dump and strengthen and become healthy internally? No matter how Napoleon expanded in Europe (however,

Between Alexander I and Napoleon after the war and in which Russia helped Prussia.

June 14, 1807 Napoleon defeated the Russian army of Bennigsen at Friedland. Alexander I, having received this news, ordered Lobanov-Rostovsky to go to the French camp for peace negotiations. General Kalkreit also appeared to Napoleon on behalf of the Prussian king, but Napoleon emphasized strongly that he was making peace with the Russian emperor. Napoleon at that time was on the banks of the Neman, in the town of Tilsit; the Russian army and the miserable remnants of the Prussian stood on the other side.

Prince Lobanov conveyed to Napoleon the desire of Emperor Alexander to see him personally. The next day, June 25, 1807, both emperors met on a raft placed in the middle of the river, and for about an hour they talked face to face in a covered pavilion. The next day they saw each other again in Tilsit; Alexander I was present at the review of the French guards. Napoleon wanted not only peace, but also an alliance with Alexander and pointed out to him the Balkan Peninsula and Finland as a reward for helping France in her endeavors; but he did not agree to give Constantinople to Russia. If Napoleon counted on the charming impression of his personality, then he soon had to admit his calculations were too optimistic: Alexander, with his affectionate smile, soft speech, and amiable manner, was not at all as accommodating, even in difficult circumstances, as his new ally would like. "C'est un véritable grec du Bas-Empire," Napoleon said to his associates.

However, at one point, Alexander I showed himself ready to make concessions - regarding the fate of Prussia: more than half of the Prussian possessions were taken by Napoleon from Friedrich Wilhelm III. The provinces on the left bank of the Elbe were given by Napoleon to his brother Jerome. Poland was restored - however, not from all the former provinces, only parts of the Prussian under the name of the Duchy of Warsaw. Russia received as compensation the Bialystok department, from which the Bialystok region was formed. Gdansk (Danzig) became a free city. All the monarchs previously installed by Napoleon were recognized by Russia and Prussia. As a sign of respect for the Russian emperor (en considération de l'empereur de Russie), Napoleon left old Prussia, Brandenburg, Pomerania and Silesia to the Prussian king. In case the French emperor wished to add Hanover to his conquests, it was decided to reward Prussia with a territory on the left bank of the Elbe.

Imperial embrace on a raft. (Meeting in Tilsit). English cartoon unknown. thin 1800s

The main point of the Treaty of Tilsit was not published at that time: Russia and France pledged to help each other in any offensive and defensive war, where circumstances so required. This close alliance eliminated Napoleon's only strong rival on the Continent; England remained isolated; both powers pledged by all means to compel the rest of Europe to comply with the continental system. On July 8, 1807, the treaty was signed by both emperors. The Peace of Tilsit raised Napoleon to the pinnacle of power, and put Emperor Alexander in a difficult position. The feeling of resentment in the metropolitan circles was great. “Tilsit! .. (at the sound of this offensive / Now Ross will not turn pale),” wrote 14 years later