Poland. Napoleon pre-empted this by attacking first and with greater force. From the beginning at Tilsit few onlookers believed these two European powers could peacefully exist side by side, with the Grand Duchy of Warsaw a French satellite state neighbouring Russia. Erfurt may have delayed the eventual outbreak of war, but it was likely the two powers would ultimately come into conflict. In popular culture The congress is an event referred to by Leo Tolstoy in his War and Peace (Book Two Part Three Chapter 1). References 1808 in France 1808 in Germany 19th-century diplomatic conferences Diplomatic conferences in France Russian Empire 1808 in international relations 1808 conferences History of Erfurt Napoleon Alexander I of Russia