118 исторических миниатюр и 108 авторских текстов на 13 иностранных языках. Сборник

Залесский Владимир Владимирович

In June, 1812 the Napoleonic army without declaration of war has crossed the Russian border on the Neman River near Kovno (Kaunas).

December 21, 1812 (on January 2, 1813) Kutuzov in the order on army has congratulated troops on exile of the enemy from borders of Russia and has urged army "to complete defeat of the enemy on his own fields".

The defeat of the Napoleonic invasion on Russia lasted for about 7 months. 7 months - not a few days, but not for several years. We will assume this period is relatively short. Of course, the period from 1812 to 1815, the same is not small.

Who used the chosen option more effectively: "rather long preparation and rather short armed confrontation"? Napoleonic France or Russia?

Anyway, both France, and Russia were preparing. Who "better" "long" prepared? Who "better" "quickly" was at war?'

Insarov has paid attention Kamensk to ambiguity of concepts:

– 'What means "was ready"? The concept is quite wide.

Kutuzov, Suvorov's pupil, in Russia in 1812 was operating. Both Suvorov and Kutuzov were formed as commanders in the era of Catherine II. In 1812, the high resistance of the people and the army was manifested.

In what measure Kutuzov's "presence", manifestations of firmness is possible to consider as the result of purposeful preparation of the Russian state for Napoleon's invasion?

Perhaps, it is results of broader and long historical processes?

Perhaps, early frosts in 1812 and some other events is possible to identify as combination of circumstances, happy for Russia.

Ingenious and wise Kutuzov strategically relied on firmness of the people and army. Kutuzov have managed "to set sails" under wind of favorable historical circumstances.

Napoleon persistently looked for decisive battle, sought to break the Russian army in parts. But - he couldn't.

Napoleon near Neman in June, 1812 had about 420 thousand people. With them he has crossed the border. He has led 135 thousand to Borodino Field.

Someone will remember the statement of the French Emperor: "The Fortune has changed the (postal) address, which was written on the letter with congratulations!".'

Insarov has decided to move a conversation to one of favourite subjects: about practical benefits of reading historical literature:

– 'Military art of the Swedish king Karl XII is estimated is extremely contradictory. The opinion is expressed that Karl XII's victories were fruitless. Supposedly a long time he was gaining victory over a weak and untrained troops of enemies. After this Charles XII began to ignore the basic requirements of the military art. The results were: campaign with insufficient forces and in conditions of poor communications (for example, into Russia in 1708-1709), underestimation of the opponent, bad intelligence, lack of the plan of fight, unrealistic calculations about the aid allies, etc.'

– 'The historical works on the military art of the Swedish King Charles XII were published before the beginning of the nineteenth century, until 1812, in French?' - thought Kamensky.

– 'Alexander Pushkin has created the poem "Poltava" after Patriotic war of 1812. After 1812 Academician Tarle created the historical works,' - Insarov has jokingly reacted.
– 'I will note that among Tarle's works - "The Crimean war".

During the Crimean war of 1853-1856 the problems of efficiency of the budget process and functionality of the state apparatus of Russia have proved themselves very significantly and adversely. The problems of scientific and technical backwardness were supplemented.'

– 'We will refrain from unambiguous conclusions: who "better" "long" prepared to - who "better" "quickly" was at war during invasion of 1812. The strategic victory was for Kutuzov, Russia.

But from the historical lessons you can make other - unambiguous - conclusions. About the benefits of reading.

So, we read books by Pushkin! We read historical literature! We read books about history of Europe and the European countries!' - Kamensky have generalized the results of a discussion .

May 23-25, 2017.

Translation from Russian into English: 16 November 2017 - 17 November 2017.

Владимир

Владимирович Залесский 'Диалог о Тильзитском мире'.

LI. The tale of the Congress of Vienna (1814 -1815)

The Reader(man) and the Reader(woman) came out of the cafe-library.

– 'You have a good mood today', - the Reader(man) has noted.

– 'Christian Insarov interestingly told about the book "Klemens Metternich. His life and political activity. A biographical essay". He made comparisons with the book of Yevgeny Tarle "Talleyrand"', - the Reader(woman) answered.
– 'It's not in vain that we came to a meeting with the writer.'

– 'Insarov's reflections about the Vienna Congress are very curious', - the Reader(man) has added.

– 'We knew A lot without his book. Although not completely were understanding, how to decipher the "secrets of music box".

First, it is well-known that the Vienna Congress passed in Vienna in September (November), 1814 - June, 1815, - the Reader(man) recognized.
– That Congress has begun after Napoleon's defeat, his renunciation, his attempt of suicide and departure to Elba Island in the Mediterranean Sea.

Secondly, it is easily understood that Napoleon did not leave the historical scene according his own will. And you can try to compare the role of different powers in achieving this result. Perhaps, one or several states as a result of such a comparison will be in a priority position, as they made the most significant contribution to the victory of the coalition.