Napoleon’s retreat Moscow and Loudons advance

‘By the time Napoleon reached Paris, just before Christmas, he had lost over 80% of the Grand Army. Happy in the belief that this made a European tour possible, Mr Loudon began his planning. His itinerary could not be fixed, because the future course of the war was uncertain. He therefore packed for all seasons and for all foreseeable geographical circumstances.’ This is a quote from The Claudians: gardens, landscapes, reason and faith: John Claudius Loudon and Claudius Buchanan, Tom Turner (Kindle, 2024).

Consequences of Napoleon’s Retreat: Europe’s Transformation

The route of John Claudius Loudon's first and longest tour of gardens in continental Europe was, one could say, determined by Napoleon. As his armies retreated, Loudon advanced. Between 16th March 1813, and 27th September 1814 (=18 months) he visited Sweden, Germany, Poland and Russia.

The retreat of Napoleon's Grande Armée from Moscow in 1812 had devastating consequences for the landscape of north Europe, impacting the landscape its people. The retreating army plundered and burned villages, causing famine and disease. A great many soldiers died of exposure, starvation, or disease, impacting populations across France, Germany, and other contributing nations. The destruction of infrastructure and disruption of trade routes caused widespread economic hardship. 

Prussia switched sides and played a crucial role in Napoleon's defeat. This allowed them to regain territories lost to France and become a dominant power in Central Europe. Napoleon promised Polish independence to garner support against Russia. However, his defeat dashed these hopes and led to further repression by the Austrian and Russian Empires. The retreating army relied heavily on burning wood for warmth and cooking, leading to widespread deforestation in some areas. Bridges, roads, and other infrastructure suffered significant damage during the retreat, hindering communication and trade for some time.