While Napoleon’s final defeat came at Waterloo in 1815, Russians insisted that they had inflicted the mortal wound.Īfter the Napoleonic Wars, a volcano of patriotism erupted across Russian society. That campaign ended in 1814 with their occupation of Paris. It was a tremendous victory and propelled Russia to lead a coalition of allies to liberate Europe from his grip. In 1812, Napoleon, a tyrant bent on world domination, invaded Russia only to see his army destroyed. Yet outsiders don’t often realize that Russians’ belief in their special role in saving civilization from history’s villains actually predates the war. The birth of Russian exceptionalismįor Russia, its triumph over Nazi Germany in the Second World War is a pillar of national identity. That sentiment is built upon centuries of defeating invaders, as I explore in “ Russia: The Story of War.” And it plays a key role in how Russia sees itself in its increasingly tense relationship with NATO and the West. Destiny calls upon Russia once more to face the West – or so Russians might believe.Īmerica is not alone in projecting itself as an exceptional power and indispensable force for good in the world.
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