What was the Continental System of Napoleon?

Napoleon wanted to defeat England from the core of his heart but after the battle of Trafalgar, he had realised that England could not be crushed in direct war. Though he made several attempts, yet he failed to conquer her.

He used to name English Channel, a ditch, but he failed to cross it throughout his life and ultimately he said:

“It is easier to send troops from Paris to Delhi than from Boulogne to Falkstone.”

So he gave up the idea of conquering England through the sea route and decided to conquer the sea by the land. It is said that “Napoleon wanted to conquer Europe through France and England through Europe.”

After the treaty of Tilsit there was no nation in Europe which challenges the supremacy of France, hence he decided to use the power of all these countries against England.

He was advised by his minister that it was through her commerce that England could be attacked because to destroy her commerce was to strike at her heart.

As Napoleon was bent upon bringing England to her knee, he decided to launch a commercial war against her, for he knew that without crippling her economic structure there was no other alternative for a lion except to strike the shark.

Great Britain was not an agricultural nation. Her prosperity and greatness depended upon her trade and commerce.

Therefore, Napoleon decided to ruin her trade with the active cooperation of countries of Europe friendly to him. The purpose of this boycott was to teach all to this country of shopkeepers. Marriot writes:

“It was the last throw of a political gambler compelled by exigencies of the game to risk all or face ruin.” H.A.L. Fisher has defined the continental system in these words:

“The continental system was a coalition against Great Britain,

Background of the Continental System

The continental system was not a new invention of Napoleon. According to the mercantile theory propounded in France, the prosperity of a country rested on her not being dependent on foreign trade. The revolutionary leaders did not like the commercial attitude of the people.

National Assembly and National Convention also opposed British trade and passed some laws to forfeit the English goods. It that the idea of launching a commercial war against France was quite old but it was executed by Napoleon.

Beginning of the Continental System

The continental system of Napoleon begins with Berlin Decree some early steps were also taken before the declaration of Berlin Decree.

Berlin Decree:

Berlin Decree was made on 21st November 1806 when Napoleon entered Berlin after the defeat of Prussia in the battle Jena. The continental system came into force with this declaration about the boycott of the British goods.

France and the countries allied to boycott the British goods as per declaration of Napoleon. All British traders found in different parts of Europe were arrested and goods were confiscated.

No British ship was permitted to stay at French ports or on other ports of friendly countries. Napoleon’s letter to his General Junot clarifies his policy thus:

“Take special care that the ladies of your establishment drink Swiss tea. It is as good as that of China. Let them take care also that no part of their dress is composed of English merchandise.

Tell that to Madame Junot, that if the wives of my chief officers do not set the example, whom can I expect to follow it? It is a contest of life and death between France and England.

I must look for the most cordial support from all those by whom I am surrounded.” Thus Napoleon tried to stop the sale of articles made in England in the European markets.

Warsaw Decree:

Napoleon declared Warsaw Decree on 25th January 1807. According to it the British goods were proscribed from the ports of Prussia and Hanover.

Napoleon threatened war against those countries which did not strictly follow the commands of Napoleon. After the treaty of Tilsit, Russia, Prussia and Denmark also boycotted the British goods. It put the Britishers to a great loss.

At the same time Napoleon received the information that Heligoland was the centre of British goods; and from this centre, these goods were secretly sent to Europe via North Sea.

So Napoleon captured the North-west Westphalia and North-west Prussia in December 1810, in order to make his boycott policy successful on the northern sea ports. After some time he also established his sway on Oldenburg.

At this time several ships of the neutral countries laden with English goods were standing in the ports of Russia, Prussia and Germany. Some of them had the licenses but some were deprived of the same.

On the order of Napoleon the goods of these ships were confiscated by these countries. This act of Napoleon harmed England very much.