Treaties of Tilsit
On a raft in the Neman River at Tilsit (now Sovetsk), Kaliningrad Oblast, Russia
What happened
Napoleon of France, Tsar Alexander I of Russia and King Frederick William III of Prussia. After defeating Russia at Friedland, Napoleon met Tsar Alexander I on a raft moored in the middle of the Neman River. They agreed to make peace and become allies. In a second treaty, Prussia lost about half its land and had to cut its army.
Why it matters
Why it matters: It made Napoleon the master of central Europe, with new states such as the Duchy of Warsaw and the Kingdom of Westphalia. Russia joined Napoleon's blockade of British trade.
What came next
The friendship between France and Russia broke down, and in June 1812 Napoleon invaded Russia. The Congress of Vienna later gave some land back to Prussia.
Did you know?
French and Russian soldiers celebrated together at Tilsit, swapping uniforms and marching through the town side by side.
Timeline
- 1807Napoleon defeats Russia at Friedland.
- 7 July 1807Napoleon and Alexander I sign peace.
- 9 July 1807Prussia signs its treaty.
- June 1812Napoleon invades Russia.
- 1815The Congress of Vienna restores some Prussian land.