31 December 1810
Russia breaks with Napoleon

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The alliance between Napoleonic France and Alexander I's Russia comes to an end when Alexander withdraws Russia from the Continental System. Russian ports are now open again to neutral shipping, and French imports are banned.
Russia had declared war on France in 1804, but was defeated with its Austrian allies at Austerlitz a year later. Defeat at the battle of Friedland in 1807 led to the Treaty of Tilsit under which Alexander agreed to join the Continental System against Britain and recognise Napoleon's Grand Duchy of Warsaw. In return, Napoleon gave Russia a free hand to expand at the expense of Sweden and the Ottoman empire. Despite an apparent warmth between the two rulers, who had effectively agreed to divide up Europe between them, their alliance soon came under strain. Napoleon's Grande Armée will launch its ill-fated invasion of Russia in 1812.

'Napoleon or I, I or Napoleon. We can no longer reign together!' Tsar Alexander I

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