USA HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -Continental System, in the Napoleonic wars, the blockade designed by Napoleon to paralyze Great Britain through the destruction of British commerce. The decrees of Berlin (November 21, 1806) and Milan (December 17, 1807) proclaimed a blockade: neutrals and French allies were not to trade with the British.

Detailed explanation-2: -The Continental System was a policy of economic warfare against Britain which was introduced by Napoleon. Its aim was to impose an economic blockade against Britain and to prevent import of British goods by other countries of Europe.

Detailed explanation-3: -The Continental System was Napoleon’s strategy to weaken Britain’s economy by banning trade between Britain and states occupied by or allied with France, which proved largely ineffective and eventually led to Napoleon’s fall.

Detailed explanation-4: -Most importantly, the Continental System and its economic consequences on Continental Europeans heightened the unpopularity of Napoleon in Europe. Napoleon was forced first to strengthen then eventually to grant exceptions to the ban. Britain replied with its own Orders in Council against French trade.

Detailed explanation-5: -The Continental System, however, failed, due in part to the fact that England had natural resources to sustain itself. The country that was weakened, ironically, was France. From 1808 to 1814, France was engaged in the Peninsular War against Spain and Portugal, who were aided in the conflict by Great Britain.