'Aussie Rick'’s Comments (group member since Jun 13, 2009)

'Aussie Rick'’s comments from the THE NAPOLEONIC WARS group.

"Alexander I: The Tsar Who Defeated Napoleon" - Alexander I had some great visions for the future of Europe:

On a more geopolitical level the Secret Instructions were even more innovative: they approached the concept of a European federation. In Alexander's conception it should be built upon respect for human rights and on principles formalized in a "treaty that would become the basis for reciprocal relations of European states." Thus he wrote in lyrical style:

It is not a dream of perpetual peace that is being realized, but rather this can be approached with more correspondence to the results it augurs, if in the treaty that would terminate the general war we would manage to fix (based on clear and precise principles) some prescription for the rights of people. Why not include the positive rights of nations, ensure the privilege of neutrality, and insert the obligation to never begin a war unless mediation by a third party has been exhausted, in a way we could highlight respective complaints and try to resolve them? It is on similar principles that one might proceed to general peace and give birth to a league whose stipulations would form, so to speak, a new code of law among peoples, which when sanctioned by the majority of the states of Europe would painlessly become the immutable rule of governments, particularly since those who wanted to infringe that code would bring down on themselves the forces of the new union.

Alexander I: The Tsar Who Defeated Napoleon by Marie-Pierre Rey

Betsy wrote: "On the day of battle even as the Imperial Guard and other combatants took their places, "They were joined by a collection of soldiers known in the army as 'the fricoteurs.' They were a 'class of so..."

I remember reading about them, very interesting eh!

"Alexander I: The Tsar Who Defeated Napoleon" - Alexander I and his educational reforms:

"Overall, there was real educational development under Alexander's reign: in 1801, on the eve of reform, there were only 334 schools in the Russian Empire, including 241 primary schools and 93 secondary schools serving 21,533 pupils in all, from a population of 34 million, or a schooling rate of 0.06 percent. By 1825 the number of primary schools had risen to 370, and there were 600 secondary schools and lycées, representing a total of 69,629 pupils, for a population now estimated at 53 million, or a rate of 0.13 percent. The breeding ground for young people trained in these higher and secondary establishments would play a key role during Alexander's reign, not only on the economic and social levels, as they went on to become the civil servants and specialists the country needed; on a cultural level, the lycées would educate the great names of art and literature during the reign, as well as supply the audience for those artists and writers."

Alexander I: The Tsar Who Defeated Napoleon by Marie-Pierre Rey

Scott, I really enjoyed your post about Napoleon's thoughts on Lucien but his brother's prescient statement about Napoleon was pretty amazing!

“In Napoleon I have always detected an ambition which is not wholly selfish, but is greater than his love for the public welfare. I believe that in a free state he would certainly be a dangerous man … He seems to me inclined to become a despot, and I think he would become one, were he a king, and that his name would be a terror to prosperity and to sensitive patriots."

I loved this bit of your story Betsy;

"The potatoes contributed to a fine meal but later led to regret when officers detected their pitted and dull bayonets and fined the troopers 7.5 francs each."

Typical of both the soldiers and their officers! :)

"Alexander I: The Tsar Who Defeated Napoleon" - Alexander I wished to be a reforming force but the reality of politics in Russia killed many of his projects before they had a chance to be implemented. However, he did manage to get a few things changed for the betterment of his people, including education for the masses, which he saw as the doorway to more reform programmes:

"As a disciple of the Enlightenment and of Laharpe, Alexander gave major importance to education as the means for individual improvement and eventually for collective progress. When it had become better educated, open, and critical-minded, Russian society would be better prepared to understand and to defend the idea of reform incarnated by the sovereign. For Alexander as for Laharpe, public education therefore represented a crucial investment for the future of the country, all the more so since the emperor was very critical of the system in force when he ascended the throne."

Alexander I: The Tsar Who Defeated Napoleon by Marie-Pierre Rey

Two good posts Betsy and Scott!

Sadly, for Prince Louis Ferdinand of Prussia, he never got to finish the campaign.

Lucien sounds like he had the gift of the gab!

Great post, I loved this bit; “Will you hold your tongue, for God’s sake? You’re not talking to your Mamelukes!”

Scott wrote: "Hello club members, my read for this month's theme is a family affair:

Napoleon and the Rebel, a family drama of a younger brother's (Lucien) rebellion against an older sibling, who just so happen..."

That sounds like a pretty interesting book, keep us posted, Scott!

Betsy wrote: "AR, let me know if your book mentions oboe players. We may have stumbled across the secret to victory! Must admit I haven't heard of any Napoleonic quotes about them. 🤔

Oh, and it was also mention..."

That was the main problem with the Prussian army - not the oboe players but the legacy of Frederick. :)

Betsy wrote: "Just came across a fascinating fact about the Prussian Army of 1806:
the first battalion of every regiment had six oboe players! First, I ask myself why, and then I ask if this had any implication ..."

Good questions Betsy! 😂😂😂

Betsy wrote: "Just got started on my book. In an overview the author quotes Lt. General Blucher, "I beseech you...to tell his His Majesty, in my name, that I believe the French have dishonest intentions against ..."

Good post Betsy. Indeed, they were in for a rude awakening eh!

I've made an early start on "Alexander I: The Tsar Who Defeated Napoleon" and so far it's been a very interesting account. The details of Alexander's childhood and education matches pretty closely to how it was depicted in the BBC miniseries "Catherine the Great" with Helen Mirren.

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7243884/

Betsy wrote: "I've been wanting to read it ever since you mentioned it. I don't have the chance to read many hardcovers anymore."

Not many good books written on these battles.

Betsy wrote: "Am finally going to have the chance to read October Triumph: Napoleon's Invasion of Germany, 1806 Jena and AUERSTADT (my emphasis) by James R. Arnold."

Nice choice Betsy! I really hope you enjoy the book as much as I did!

The December theme read page is up and ready to go - the theme being a reader's choice:

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

I'm considering this book as my choice for the December theme read; "Alexander I: The Tsar Who Defeated Napoleon" by Marie-Pierre Rey.

Alexander I: The Tsar Who Defeated Napoleon by Marie-Pierre Rey

What is everyone else bringing to the theme month?

The final theme read for 2025 is one of our favourites - a reader's choice.

Excellent summary, Scott. " ... unchecked French violence fed the hatred of the population, securing a never-ending source of insurgents." - Still an issue occurring in our times!

Some great commentary here, really interesting to read!

That was a perfect summary of what the Spanish guerilla forces were required to achieve against the occupying French.