What were the consequences of violation of the continental system of Russia?

The violation of the continental system by Russia involved Napoleon in a war with Russia. In 1812 he launched an attack against Russia. The Russians followed the policy of making a retreat and permitted the French forces to proceed towards Moscow.

The Russians resorted to guerilla warfare against the French and destroyed their crops, cities, towns and forts so that the French could not get the necessities of life. In the meanwhile the Russian winter set in which caused untold misery to the French soldiers. As his soldiers were dying of hunger, thirst, epidemic and lack of clothing, Napoleon decided to retreat.

Napoleon’s retreat from Moscow, in the words of Hayes and Cole was “one of the most tragic and horrible episodes of human history. Downpours of rain changed to sleet and snow. Swollen streams checked his march. Food was short. The French forces abandoned their baggage. They ran out of ammunition. They froze to death in snow drifts. They fell from exhaustion. The retreat became a route and the rout disaster.”

Napoleon’s failure against Russia greatly undermined his position and encouraged the countries of central Europe to free themselves from his control. They launched a united war for liberation against Napoleon.

Encouraged by his victory against Napoleon the Russian Czar began to interfere in the affairs of Germany and Poland and tried to further under name Napoleon’s influence in these countries.