The Continental System was a major blockade of British trade imposed by French Emperor Napoleon I from 21 November 1806 to 11 April 1814. It was designed to cripple the British economy, thereby forcing Britain out of the Napoleonic Wars (1803-1815). However, the blockade proved difficult to enforce and ended up negatively affecting France, contributing to Napoleon's eventual downfall.
More about: Continental SystemServer Costs Fundraiser 2024
Help our mission to provide free history education to the world! Please donate and contribute to covering our server costs in 2024. With your support, millions of people learn about history entirely for free every month.
$3926 / $18000
Definition
Timeline
-
21 Nov 1806 - 11 Apr 1814Napoleon's Continental System seeks to deprive Britain from trade with the European continent.
-
31 Dec 1810Tsar Alexander I pulls Russia out of the Continental System.
