At the beginning of the 19th century, Napoleon's Russian campaign took place. His army had chased the retreating Russian troops and temporarily occupied Moscow, but the city had been burned down and the residents already left. Napoleon demanded the Russians surrender, but was unable to meet with Russian officials, and soon, harsh "General Frost" came to Moscow. Finally, Napoleon had no choice but to withdraw. The Russian army, which had been waiting for them to retreat, attacked the French troops, and Napoleon returned to Paris with several of his associates. With this withdrawal, Napoleon's power began to weaken, while for Russia, the battles had proven a successful war of self-defense.