During Napoleon's invasion of Russia, which tactic did the Russians employ that contributed to Napoleon's defeat, leading to massive losses of soldiers?

• A. Naval blockade
• B. Guerrilla warfare
• C. Scorched earth
• D. Use of elephants

Answer: (C)

The tactic being tested is the scorched-earth approach, where the Russians retreated and burned crops, barns, and villages to deny Napoleon’s army food and shelter. By denying local resources along the way, the French were forced to march farther to find provisions, stretching supply lines and making them highly vulnerable to hunger, disease, and the brutal Russian winter. The result was massive losses as troops starved and wore down from exposure and exhaustion, contributing to Napoleon’s defeat and the collapse of the campaign. Other options don’t fit as well: a naval blockade wouldn’t affect an inland invasion; guerrilla actions did occur but the decisive draining factor was scorched earth; elephants were not part of this conflict.