Question

What does Czar Alexander I do during the Russian Campaign? a) Czar Alexander I immediately surrendered to Napoleon without any resistance: Czar Alexander I did not surrender to Napoleon, and the Russian Campaign was characterized by resistance and the use of the "scorched earth" strategy to hamper Napoleon's advance. b) Alexander I welcomed Napoleon's invasion and provided him with support: Alexander did not welcome the invasion; instead, he employed scorched earth tactics and strategic retreats to thwart Napoleon's advance into Russia. c) Napoleon is confident but Alexander burns earth and kills livestock so Napoleon's army starves called "scorched earth". Alexander leaves Napoleon in Russia's terrible weather (hot/cold), no food, and disease spreading so the army shrinks. Napoleon believes that if he conquers Moscow, he will conquer Russia. Russians destroy Moscow upon Napoleon's arrival so Napoleon finds it in flames. Alexander would rather destroy its holy city then surrender it to the French. d) The Russians helped Napoleon and his troops find adequate food and shelter during the campaign: This statement is incorrect. The Russian military and civilian population did not provide support or provisions to Napoleon's troops during the campaign. In fact, the scorched earth policy was designed to deny Napoleon's army access to essential resources.

Answer 1

Czar Alexander I employed a scorched earth policy during the Russian Campaign, avoiding surrender and forcing Napoleon into a costly retreat by denying his army essential resources and shelter.

Step-by-step explanation:

During the Russian Campaign, Czar Alexander I did not surrender to Napoleon's Grand Army. As Napoleon invaded with a force of 650,000 men, the Russian troops, who were substantially outnumbered, implemented a strategic scorched earth policy. They retreated, destroying their own land and resources to deny Napoleon's army the ability to live off the land. This included burning cities and crops and killing livestock. The Russian resistance culminated in a significant battle, the Battle of Borodino, with heavy casualties on both sides but no clear victor, leading to the Russians' strategic retreat from Moscow. The French eventually entered Moscow in September 1812, only to find it abandoned and set aflame. Facing the onset of winter with inadequate supplies and no hope of Russian capitulation, Napoleon was forced to order a devastating retreat, which decimated his army and significantly weakened his hold on power.