Great Mistakes of the Greatests

lots of money, be respected and honored. This desire to be the best comes from ancient ages, where strength was the first determinant of person’s success.

The same refers to the financial organizations, where the goal of every firm is being extremely competitive, increase the income and gain the biggest market share. All this needs lots of resources, and in most cases money. But we will try to prove, that even enormous amount of money, and other resources, are not the major determinants of the success, and what is more, can turn out to be devastating. The history has showed us many bright examples of the greatest going bankrupt, losing everything, their status, money, friends and ones they loved…Among them are:

Napoleon

Napoleon I was a French military and political leader who had significant impact on modern European history. He was a general during a French Revolution, the rule of France as First Council, Emperor of French and King of Italy. He was one of the prominent figures in 19th Century. He had led the France in Italy and Egypt and soon become the leader of the biggest army in the world history under one, single king вЂ" almost million soldiers. His resources were enormous and Napoleon perceived himself as an omnipotent ruler.

Although Congress of Erfurt had sought to keep Russo-French alliance and Napoleon and Alexander had friendly relations after their first meeting, Russian king had been under strong pressure by the aristocracy to break off the alliance with France. Consequently, in order to keep other countries from revolting against France, Napoleon decided to make en example of Russia.

The Russians under Mikhail Bogdanovich Barclay de Tolly avoided a decisive engagement which Napoleon longed for, preferring to retreat ever deeper into the heart of Russia. A brief attempt at resistance was offered at Smolensk (16вЂ"17 August), but the Russians were defeated in a series of battles in the area and Napoleon resumed the advance. The Russians then repeatedly avoided battle with the Grande ArmÐ"©e, although in a few cases only because Napoleon uncharacteristically hesitated to attack when the opportunity arose. Thanks to the Russian army's scorched earth tactics, the Grande ArmÐ"©e had more and more trouble foraging food for its men and horses.[12][13] Along with hunger, the French also suffered from the harsh Russian winter.

Barclay was criticized for his strategy of retreat and was replaced by Kutuzov. But still Russian generals had a very clever plan of how to defeat the the greatest army ever: They continued the retreat and Kutuzov eventually offered battle outside Moscow on 7 September. Losses were nearly even for both armies, with slightly more casualties on the Russian side, after what may have been the bloodiest day of battle in history: the Battle of Borodino. Although Napoleon was far from defeated, the Russian army had accepted, and withstood, the major battle the French hoped would be decisive. After the battle, the Russian army withdrew and retreated past Moscow.

Napoleon then entered Moscow, assuming that the fall of Moscow would end the war and that Alexander I would negotiate peace. However, on orders of the city's military governor and commander-in-chief, Fyodor Rostopchin, rather than capitulating, Moscow was ordered burned. Within the month, fearing loss of control back in France, Napoleon left Moscow. While he started the war with 650,000 soldiers only 40,000 crossed the Berezina River.

Napoleon suffered a terrible loss due to the fact, that he thought that no nation in the world could defeat his army as it was really enormous, but as it turned out, Russians were very smart in determining Napoleons weaknesses, and instead of offering a one single battle, weared out the French to death, and made them die not with their swords, but hunger and the cold. Napoleon hoped he would get some food, clothes and place to sleep in Moscow, but again, Russians burned it to the ground, leaving Napoleon with nothing, but unstable situation in France.

Real Madrid

Real Madrid of Spain, founded in 1902 is the most successful football club in 20th century. The club had won thirty “La Liga” titles, and had become the Champions of Europe 9 times, which is a record. By the end of the millennium, Real Madrid had