The Coup That Nearly Toppled Napoleon

Napoleon’s ill-fated Russian campaign could have been far worse

Napoleon watches Moscow burn during his campaign in 1812. (Public domain)

In the summer of 1812, Napoleon launched his famous invasion of Russia. Despite trepidation on the part of his generals and staff about pushing into Russia so close to the cold weather months, he proceeded anyway and was met with initial success. His confidence had been boosted by a string of…