War and Peace: Volume 3, Part 1: Chapters 1–7 Summary & Analysis

Starting at the end of 1811, western European forces begin to concentrate on Russia’s borders. On June 12th, 1812, war begins— “an event […] contrary to human reason[.]” With “naïve assurance,” later historians name several causes—the offense against the duke of Oldenburg, the failure of the Continental System, Napoleon’s power hunger, and more. Therefore, from historians’ perspective, a subtle difference—more skillful diplomacy, perhaps—could have prevented war.

That’s also how it seemed to the people of the time, and even to Napoleon himself. Depending on who you asked—Prince Oldenburg, the English Parliament, merchants, or diplomats—everyone would have blamed a different historical circumstance. To us, however, it’s impossible to explain how any one of these circumstances necessitated the killing of Christians by other Christians. In reality, “billions of causes” coincided to bring about war, and no single cause would have sufficed.

Each human being’s life is two-sided—a personal life and an “elemental” life in which a person merely fulfills what’s prescribed for them. While a person consciously lives for himself, that person also serves as an instrument in the unfolding of history. The higher a person’s social standing, the more interconnected with other people’s lives, the more obvious is the “inevitability” of his actions. Even kings are the “slaves of history” whose lives are just instruments. History’s so-called “great men” give their names to events, but these events are actually the product of the whole course of history.

On May 29th, 1812, Napoleon leaves Dresden and progresses through Poland, met by enthusiastic crowds at every stop. When he reaches the Russian border, to everyone’s surprise, he orders his troops to cross the Niemen. On June 12th, the army enters Russia, calling “Long live the Emperor!” as they go. The following day, Napoleon himself crosses the river to rapturous cries from his men. At the river Vilia, a group of zealous Polish cavalrymen, to show their devotion, attempt to swim across without finding a safe place to ford. At least 40 drown, while Napoleon obliviously paces on the bank.

For the past month, Emperor Alexander has been at Vilno. His troops aren’t prepared, and there’s no plan, though several have been proposed. Each of the three Russian armies has a separate commander in chief, and there’s no supreme commander. Meanwhile, the Emperor attends many balls and parties. The adjutant generals throw a huge dinner and ball at Count Bennigsen’s country estate, including boat rides and fireworks. Emperor Alexander dances with Countess Bezukhov as Napoleon’s army crosses into Russia. Boris Drubetskoy, now rich, is also there.

While dancing with Hélène, Boris watches Emperor Alexander closely. He notices that Balashov, an adjutant general, receives some obviously important news. When Balashov and the Emperor step outside, Boris feels tormented, wondering how to get the news before anybody else does. He manages to overhear a snippet of conversation—that the enemy has entered Russia without a declaration of war, and that Alexander will not make peace while a single enemy remains on his soil. This makes Boris the first person to learn about the French invasion, allowing him to rise in the opinions of other important people. The next day, Emperor Alexander sends a letter to Napoleon disputing that there’s any pretext for French aggression, and that the burden is on Napoleon to withdraw and avoid war.

Emperor Alexander sends Balashov to Napoleon with his letter. He instructs Balashov to personally convey his declaration that he will not make peace as long as a single armed enemy remains in Russia. Balashov is rudely received at the French outpost and waits for a long time. Finally, just after sunrise, a yawning French colonel leads Balashov to Murat, who is now the king of Naples. Murat doesn’t understand why he’s the Neapolitan king or exactly what he’s doing in the war, but he accepts the role happily nonetheless. He walks and chats with Balashov about the war, explaining that France’s dignity is offended by the Russian demand to withdraw their troops from Prussia. Murat doesn’t accept that Napoleon is the war’s instigator.

Balashov assumes he’ll see Napoleon next, but instead, he’s taken to Marshal Davout in the next village. Davout is a cruel, determinedly gloomy man. He refuses to let Balashov deliver his message directly and takes pleasure from the resulting dismay on Balashov’s face. Balashov is forced to spend the night and speak to nobody except for Davout’s adjutant. Four days later, Balashov enters Vilno, which is now occupied by the French. He will meet with Napoleon in the same house where Emperor Alexander’s party was held four days ago.

At last, Napoleon—short and stout, majestically uniformed, with a springy step—enters the reception room where Balashov waits. Glancing briefly into Balashov’s eyes, Napoleon speaks to him quickly and confidently. He seems to think that his own will is all that matters in the world. He asserts that he has been forced into a war he never wanted and explains why he’s unhappy with the Russian government. Balashov gives his prepared speech, stating that Alexander doesn’t want war and is not cooperating with England, despite what the French think.

Balashov remembers what the Emperor had ordered—he’s to tell Napoleon that Alexander will not make peace while a single armed enemy remains on his soil. Yet, somehow, he can’t bring himself to say those words. Instead he says that Alexander will make peace if the French withdraw to the other side of the Niemen. Napoleon seems to be agitated by this. He points out that, a few months ago, Alexander demanded withdrawal from Prussia, yet now he’s willing to start peace negotiations if Napoleon merely crosses the Niemen. He is offended by this idea and paces, his left leg trembling, listing Alexander’s weaknesses and his own strengths.

Napoleon continues to insult Alexander, the Russian army, and Russia’s allies. Balashov keeps trying to speak in his sovereign’s defense, but Napoleon repeatedly interrupts him. Balashov knows Napoleon is talking nonsense, yet he cowers before Napoleon’s compulsive torrent of words. Napoleon yells at Balashov that he will destroy Prussia and push back Russia. He dismisses Balashov from his presence without acknowledging his protests.

To Balashov’s surprise, he’s invited to dine at Napoleon’s table later that day, and Napoleon greets him cheerfully, apparently unembarrassed by his outburst earlier. He questions Balashov closely about Moscow, seeming oblivious to Balashov’s subtle attempts to insult France. By the time dinner is over, Napoleon seems to assume that Balashov is his friend. As they have coffee in Emperor Alexander’s former study, Napoleon grows heated again, declaring how he’ll overthrow all of Alexander’s German relatives. He tugs Balashov’s ear, which is considered to be a sign of great favor in the French court. Then he sends Balashov back to Alexander with a letter of his own. War begins soon after.