What if Napoleon captured St. Petersburg instead of Moscow?

Рет қаралды 12,167

Күн бұрын

Пікірлер: 43

@herrDOS 11 ай бұрын

1. Loss of Petersburg would be absolutely devastating, much more so than Moscow. 2. The inefficient government bureaucracy of Russia would have fallen in a complete disarray: all the records, all the institutions, everything was in Petersburg and tied to it. You do not evacuate something of that size. 3. Napoleon would no longer need Alexander’s approval of the Continental system, because Napoleon controls the shore now. 4. Beaten down Russian army would be forced to retreat hundreds of kilometers through winter, further dwindling morale. 5. All Napoleon has to do at this point is to send Alexander a letter: you surrender, or I liberate the serfs of the Baltic states. If he did, Alexander’s own troops could have hanged him on a tree.

@PatrickKniesler 2 жыл бұрын

This was a fantastically well done video. Deserves more attention.

@DaliborPerkovic-sw8mh Жыл бұрын

Yes! But, i do not agree with that video about northern campaign. It is not necessary it would be not success, like real campaign on Moscow, in real timeline. That campaign could be more successful.

@barrankobama4840 Жыл бұрын

Once captured St Petersburg he would have received supplies via the Baltic sea, and could still count on the still friendly Sweden and Denmark to prevent any access to the British navy.

@kvnrthr1589 Жыл бұрын

Would the Baltic sea have helped with his supplies? Or was the Royal Navy/Russian Navy more likely to control it? I'm not sure how much Denmark could have denied entry of ships into the Baltic.

@DaliborPerkovic-sw8mh Жыл бұрын

Dannes were in that time in Alliance with Imperial France. Why would Dannes not helped to France?! And why the Imperial French Navy would not intervene against the Imperial Russian navy?!And take control of the Baltic sea, before campaign against Russia? Because, that sea will be very important for logistical support for taken Baltic region and St Petersburg.

@pokekick4185 Жыл бұрын

Napoleon would have for sure used the french, prussian and danish navy to occupy the Baltic and use it to massively supply saint peters burg. Probably even using the merchant navies of the area to ship less important goods. I could totally see napoleon though it out in saint peters burg with only minor attrition but at a significant financial cost to start marching on moscow the following spring. I could also see napoleon promise the baltic states, finland and karlinia to sweden for an alliance and help in the war.

@DaliborPerkovic-sw8mh Жыл бұрын

@@pokekick4185 So, we are both agree?! If Napoleon decided to intervene in Russia, 1812, than it will be much better option attacking on North than East. Because, East is a trap for Grand Armee. Do you agree about that? Thanks for your answer and I hope we would continue our discussion about that way of Alternative history. Bye for now!👏🦉 Continue be smart like a owl!

@barrankobama4840 Жыл бұрын

Moreover Russian Navy blocked in the Baltic would have been in a dire situation once lost all major Russian ports in the sea and blocked in their escape by Denmark and Sweden.

@DaliborPerkovic-sw8mh Жыл бұрын

@@barrankobama4840In that time, French navy was 2nd navy in the world or after mighty British navy. French navy can block Russian navy in the Baltic sea. And not just that. With support of Dannes and Swedes, French navy can destroyed Russian navy and than support Napoleon North campaign. That is much better option than going to attack East and fall in Russian trap in Moscow, 1812.

@Patman0074 11 ай бұрын

Beautiful video, i would hope someday you'll return and make some more!

@LordWyatt 2 жыл бұрын

Napoleon split his Grand Armé into Three Corps, the Russian Empire supplied Three Armies. Fair play🤔

@ysujy10 2 жыл бұрын

Lets go Napoleon!!!

@JustinianG 2 жыл бұрын

I made a vid on what I think would have happened if Napoleon won. Can u check it out?

@bintanglintangerlangga1983 Жыл бұрын

@@JustinianG its a great video

@anthonytillman6363 2 ай бұрын

Very good video, very much liked it, but 3 points you made I would like to contest. 1) Not sure Prussia and Austria would have remained compliant had the Russian invasion continued into 1813. War of fifth Coaltion started in 1809 because Spanish invasion had stretched French manpower. Russian invasion was a far bigger stretch of manpower, and continued Spanish invasion stretched things even further. We also know that in 1812, even before the russian retreat, Austria and Prussia were having 'secret' negotiations with the Russians. 2) If Napoleon had been forced to retreat St. Petersburg in favor of Riga, don't think Napoleon's army would have been able to live off the land without at least having to fight for it. Kutosov would probably have set traps and barriers along the retreat, just as he did during the Moscow retreat. 3) Napoleon may or may not have been able to winter in St. Petersburg. Assume the city gets burned, just like Moscow was. Denmark and Sweden may or may not have been able to secure supply lines through the Baltic Sea. If they could, then with supplies coming from both land and sea, wintering in the city may have been possible. Not sure if Britain could have broken through into Baltic Sea or not. Three different entrances to the sea, and Denmark and Sweden would have had to work together to seal all three routes. Denmark and Sweden probably would have given lackluster effort here, not only because Napoleon is forcing them to risk life and limb, but also because Denmark and Sweden hated each other at that time. But Britain would have had a hard time forcing themselves through, and an even harder time keeping their lines of communication open. Even if Napoleon can keep sea lines of communication open, Napoleon probably would have had to detach at least part of army to keep land lines of communication open. Doubt Kutosov would have allowed Napoleon to have a peaceful, uncontested winter.

@DaliborPerkovic-sw8mh Жыл бұрын

I was thinking about that opportunity long time. Even, I am not Emperor Napoleon, I would never attacking Russia in 1812 or 1813. Rather, i would making much better situation in Spain ( 1812-1815 ) than going to risky campaign against Russian Car and Mother Russia. But, if i try my lucky in Russia, than I would choose a way on the North rather than East. Why? St Petersburg is much more practical target than Moscow. Why? First. In that time was capital of Russia. Second. It is close to Sweden. Third. I can involve in that campaign, except Prussia, Austria, Poland even Sweden too. Sweden would be delighted to turn back own old lands again, like Baltic region and St Petersburg. So, i will do Alliance where are involved Poland and Sweden together with Imperial France. They would be my key supporters in war against Imperial Russia. After the campaign, I will give Poland all territories back what that state lost before wars with Russia in 18th century, on the East. So, if we start campaign, in 1812, we would taken from Russia all Baltic region and today Belarus. And capital of Russia, of course. Before winter 1812/1813, we would be in St Petersburg and we will consolidated and organised annexed territories. The Grand Armee would take necessary rest and supplies, and in spring 1813 we would beginning a second part of campaign. Because, if Russian Emperor was not taken a offer about peace in St Petersburg, in 1812?! No problem! In 1813, we would take Moscow and Central Russia. Than, after summer that year, we would take rest again and supplies for third campaign. Probably, Russian Car will not take peace offer even in Moscow, in 1813?! Well, third campaign, in Russia, will start on the South of the Russian Empire. In 1814, we would take southern parts of the state - between Dnjepar and Volga, with Caricin. maybe we would touch even mountains of Caucasus too?! Who knows! Even in that time can be possible that Russian Emperor will not accept peace offer. But, who will care about that. He will not got enough power in Russia any more and it would be possibility he could be even overthrown from the Russian nobility?! Who knows! PS: Well, this is just a idea how could gone alternative history campaign against Imperial Russia, from 1812 to 1814. And i think that will be not completely impossible, and could finish even with success at the end. Please, people, i like to know opinions what you think about that idea?! Thanks!

@ragnarok2317 2 жыл бұрын

Nice 👍🏻

@mwangolatrue Жыл бұрын

Very good video !

@crownprincesebastianjohano7069 4 ай бұрын

So in this timeline did Napoleon needlessly invade Swedish Pomerania, forcing them to join France's enemies? If so, the French will not be able to re-supply via the Baltic. Sweden had a large fleet that alone would have interfered with French re-supply. But the Swedes also were in alliance with the British and hosted a large fleet that, combined with the Swedish and Russian fleets, denies the French support from sea. If Napoleon refrained from attacking Sweden, France could at the very least count on Swedish neutrality. Whereas it is true that Bernadotte was not terribly interested in any attack on Russia, and had refused Napoleon's offer of Finland several times, a bigger offer including the Hansa Cities as well as Finland and St. Petersburg itself, and the subsidies he asked for, might tempt him into active cooperation. The aid of the Swedish Fleet would be of great significance. Of even greater help is Bernadotte himself leading a Swedish Army into Finland and to St. Petersburg in a pincer movement.

@youthoughtaboutit6946 7 ай бұрын

Came across this video, thought it awesome quality, then realized that this is the most recent video and it’s too years old. Now I’m sad.

@fantasticalhistory4285 7 ай бұрын

Glad you enjoyed the video man, I'm just too lazy to make more videos these days maybe I really should get back into it

@board-qu9iu Жыл бұрын

A great alternate history video

@CrunchyNorbert 2 ай бұрын

Could he have closed the danish straights?

@Aiden-wg4pu Жыл бұрын

Peasants: exist The Grand Armée: gib. food. NOW.

@eriklidstrom8706 10 ай бұрын

A better plan would have been to garrison St Petersburg, Pskov, Novgorod and Riga. Then to return Finland to Sweden (that Russia conquered in 1809), negotiating with his former marshal Bernadotte, the King of Sweden. Bernadotte was reluctant in the real timeline to recover Finland, but he would have been forced to accept Finland back and to join in with Napoleon. Sweden did not have large resources, but would have assisted la Grand Armée as best it could. Napoleon might even have offered to return Estonia and Latvia to Sweden, lost in 1721. Or threatened Russia with that, forcing Russia to the negotiation table.