Throughout European history, both Napoleon and Hitler were controversial leaders. They separately went on crusades to the east in an attempt to conquer Russia and unify their country. Although the two leaders had different backgrounds and motivations, they had much in common.
First, both Napoleon and Hitler saw the crusade against Russia as a crucial step in consolidating their dominance. Napoleon hoped to expand France's territory and influence by conquering Russia and upsetting the balance between Western Europe and Tsarist Russia. Hitler, on the other hand, sought to further advance his militaristic economics by conquering Russia and open the way for the unification of Germany.
Secondly, both Napoleon and Hitler faced a barbarian threat from the East. Russia in Napoleonic times was a powerful Slavic state, once part of the Golden Horde, and established the powerful principality of Kievan Rus. Hitler, on the other hand, faced the Soviet Union, a country with vast territory and great military power, founded by the descendants of the Mongol Empire.
However, both Napoleon and Hitler suffered defeats on their way to Russia. Napoleon's crusade ended in defeat at the Battle of Waterloo, which ultimately led to the collapse of the French Empire.
Hitler's Crusade ended with the crushing defeat at Stalingrad, in which the Soviet Union finally expelled Nazi Germany from its own territory and launched a campaign against Germany.
Why, then, did Napoleon's and Hitler's crusade end in failure? First of all, the vast territory of Russia and the harsh climatic conditions posed great challenges for the attackers. As a result of these factors, the armies of Napoleon and Hitler faced long-term supply line stretching and logistical difficulties within Russia.
Secondly, the staunch resistance of the Russian people was also an important reason for the failure of the Eastern Crusade. Both Napoleon and Hitler underestimated the will and combat effectiveness of the Russian people. The Russian national spirit and loyalty to the Motherland allowed them to resist foreign invaders with a tenacious will.
Finally, the crusade also raised the Polish question. Napoleon sought to control the Polish region by establishing the Duchy of Warsaw, while Hitler sought to incorporate Poland into his Greater German Empire. However, none of these attempts came to fruition, and the Polish question became an important factor in the failure of the Crusades.
To sum up, the crusades of Napoleon and Hitler have left a profound impact on European history. They tried to consolidate their dominance by conquering Russia, but all ended in failure. This shows that the Eastern Crusade was not an easy task, and Russia's vast territory, strong national consciousness and stubborn resistance were all important reasons for the failure of the Eastern Crusade. We should learn from history, cherish peace and stability, and look at exchanges and cooperation between different countries and cultures with an open mind.