French Revolution and Napoleonic WarsSociety and economy
Continental System
With the Berlin Decree of 21 November 1806 Napoleon forbade France’s allies and dependent states to trade with Great Britain, hoping to undermine its economy. The blockade was widely breached by smuggling and became one of the causes of the wars in Spain and Russia.
- Date
- 21 November 1806 – 11 April 1814exact date · duration: ≈ 7 years
- Place
- Berlintoday: Berlin, Germany · Western and Central Europe
- Participants
- First French Empire, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, Russian Empire, Napoleon I
- Threads
- French Revolution and Napoleonic Wars
- Also known as
- Континентальная система
The decree was a response to the British naval blockade of the French coast declared in May 1806. The break with Britain also hurt the economies of France’s own allies, pushing them to violate the ban; formally the blockade remained in force until Napoleon’s abdication in April 1814.
Connections
Causes and preconditions
- Battle of Jena–Auerstedt14 October 1806 · Western and Central EuropeNapoleon signed the blockade decree in Berlin, occupied after Prussia’s defeat
Consequences
- Transfer of the Portuguese court to Brazil29 November 1807 – 8 March 1808 · Latin AmericaPortugal delayed joining the blockade of Britain, and Napoleon sent Junot’s army against it
- Peninsular War2 May 1808 – 17 April 1814 · Western and Central EuropeAn attempt to cut off trade through the Iberian Peninsula
- French invasion of Russia24 June – 14 December 1812 · Eastern EuropeRussia’s refusal to actively support the blockade was one of the causes of the war
Related events
- Battle of Trafalgar21 October 1805 · Western and Central EuropeWithout a fleet, Napoleon waged an economic war on Britain
- Treaties of Tilsit25 June (7 July) 1807 · Western and Central EuropeRussia undertook to join the blockade
- War of 181218 June 1812 – 17 February 1815 · North AmericaBritish restrictions on the trade of neutral countries with France
Same participants
- First Serbian Uprising14 February 1804 – 7 October 1813 · Balkans and Anatoliavia Russian Empire
- Battle of Wagram5–6 July 1809 · Western and Central Europevia First French Empire
- Treaty of Bucharest16 (28) May 1812 · Balkans and Anatoliavia Russian Empire
Meanwhile in the world
Other regions, within a year of this event
Eastern Europe
- Battle of Borodino26 August (7 September) 1812
- Fire of Moscow (1812)2 (14) September 1812 – 6 (18) September 1812
- French invasion of Russia24 June – 14 December 1812
- Battle of the Berezina14 (26) November 1812 – 17 (29) November 1812
- First Russian circumnavigation26 July (7 August) 1803 – 7 (19) August 1806
Balkans and Anatolia
- First Serbian Uprising14 February 1804 – 7 October 1813
- Treaty of Bucharest16 (28) May 1812
Middle East and Egypt
- Treaty of Gulistan12 (24) October 1813
Africa
- Jihad of Usman dan Fodio21 February 1804 – 1808
- Battle of Blaauwberg and the capture of the Cape Colony8–18 January 1806
Southeast Asia and Oceania
- British conquest of Java4 August – 18 September 1811
- Rum Rebellion26 January 1808
- Eruption of Mount Tambora5–11 April 1815
North America
- Founding of Fort RossMarch – 30 August (11 September) 1812
- War of 181218 June 1812 – 17 February 1815
- Lewis and Clark Expedition14 May 1804 – 23 September 1806
Latin America
- Cry of Dolores16 September 1810
- Transfer of the Portuguese court to Brazil29 November 1807 – 8 March 1808
- Balmis Expedition30 November 1803 – 14 August 1806