Napoleon's decisive defeat of Russia at Friedland ended the War of the Fourth Coalition and led directly to the Treaties of Tilsit, reshaping European power.
Key Facts
- Date
- 14 June 1807
- French force size
- ~80,000 troops
- Russian force size
- 50,000–60,000 men
- Russian casualties
- Over 40% of soldiers engaged
- Outcome treaty
- Treaties of Tilsit
- Prussian territory lost
- Almost half of Prussian territories
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
The indecisive Battle of Eylau earlier in 1807 left the War of the Fourth Coalition unresolved. Russian General Bennigsen, observing what appeared to be an isolated French reserve corps under Marshal Lannes near Friedland, ordered his entire army across the Alle River to destroy those units before Napoleon could reinforce them, underestimating the speed with which the French emperor could concentrate his forces.
On 14 June 1807, Lannes held his position against repeated Russian assaults until Napoleon assembled roughly 80,000 troops. Bennigsen, in poor health, failed to withdraw his 50,000–60,000 men despite the growing French concentration. Napoleon then launched a massive assault on the Russian left flank, pressing the army against the Alle River. Unable to resist, Russian forces broke and fled across the river, suffering catastrophic losses exceeding 40% of their strength.
Napoleon's victory compelled Tsar Alexander I to seek peace negotiations, ending the War of the Fourth Coalition. The resulting Treaties of Tilsit forced Russia to join the Continental System against Britain and stripped Prussia of nearly half its territory. Those Prussian lands became the Kingdom of Westphalia under Jérôme Bonaparte, while France gained control of the Ionian Islands. Many historians consider Tilsit the apex of Napoleonic power in Europe.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
Napoleon I, Marshal Jean Lannes.
Side B
1 belligerent
General Levin August von Bennigsen.