Congress of Erfurt

European history

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June 26, 2026

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The Congress of Erfurt was a meeting held in Erfurt, Germany, in 1808 between Napoleon I of France and Tsar Alexander I of Russia. The primary goal was to reaffirm their alliance, which had been established at the Treaties of Tilsit in 1807. During this congress, Napoleon aimed to secure Russian support for his Continental System against Britain and to discuss the division of Europe into spheres of influence. However, disagreements arose, particularly concerning Napoleon's desire to revive the Polish question, which strained the relationship between the two leaders. The congress ultimately failed to solidify their alliance, contributing to the eventual breakdown of their cooperation.123

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Charles-Maurice de Talleyrand, prince de Bénévent
Between empire and restoration
…congress of European sovereigns at Erfurt, Prussia. There Talleyrand had secret talks with Tsar Alexander I, urging him to oppose Napoleon, and thereafter conducted a clandestine correspondence with both Russia and Austria. This treasonable activity did not, in fact, involve Talleyrand in great risk, since it was approved by Fouché,…
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…congress of European sovereigns at Erfurt, Prussia. There Talleyrand had secret talks with Tsar Alexander I, urging him to oppose Napoleon, and thereafter conducted a clandestine correspondence with both Russia and Austria. This treasonable activity did not, in fact, involve Talleyrand in great risk, since it was approved by Fouché,…
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Napoleon I
Blockade and the peninsular campaign
At the Congress of Erfurt (September–October 1808), a conference with Alexander I, Napoleon assembled a great concourse of princes to impress the Russian emperor in an attempt to extract promises of help. Whether impressed or not, Alexander would make no definite commitment. Alexander’s refusal, furthermore, was partly…
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At the Congress of Erfurt (September–October 1808), a conference with Alexander I, Napoleon assembled a great concourse of princes to impress the Russian emperor in an attempt to extract promises of help. Whether impressed or not, Alexander would make no definite commitment. Alexander’s refusal, furthermore, was partly…
Read More