The continental barrier ("“blocus continental"” [frz.] and/or "“continental system"” [English]) was first one of Napoleon on 21 November 1806 in Berlin ordered economic blockade over the British islands, which remained until 1814 into force. It should force England with the means of the economic war into the knees. Beyond that under the designation "“continental barrier"” should protect firmierende the French economy from any European and transatlantic competition.

The continental barrier was Napoleons' answer to a preceeding sea-blockade of the French coast by Great Britain. The actual Veranlassung resulted however from the defeat Napoleon in the sea-battle of Trafalgar on 21 October 1805, in their consequence Napoleon annex ion plans in Great Britain to fall left and the future confrontation on the continent shifted. In order to prevent the trade of England with the continent completely, Napoleon forbade the trade with goods of and after the British islands. British goods in the areas controlled by France were seized, British dealers on the continent were with the police pursued. Toward at the end of of 1807 Napoleon expanded the continental barrier also on the neutral navigation. Further gradual aggravations followed. With the decree of Trianon on 5 August 1810 Napoleon let a 50%igen tariff raise on all import products regardless of its origin.

The protectionist system Napoleon caused in the long run no crucial damage to the English trade, and the English crown was weakened still less by the measure than such. In response the economy of France was strongly weakened, above all however the states dependent on it. Only parts of the native economy here completely particularly experienced the desired upswing like the Texttilindustrie, the silk trade. The German textile industry in (since 1801 French) the Rhine country and partially also in Saxonia profited likewise from the elimination of the English competition. Due to the abrupt omission of the national protectionism after 1813 these trade ranges were however from now on exposed to a strong economic adjustment pressure, particularly since they were in technical regard in relation to production conditions in England in the arrears.

A further drawback of the blockade politics was blossoming smuggling. 1810 decided Napoleon therefore to the Annexion entire north Germans of the area. The continental barrier became thus a political instrument, whose effectiveness drew the employment of military force with itself. For instance if Russia on pressure Napoleon could be induced 1807 to the observance of the continental barrier, Napoleon undertook several, in the long run failed attempts since 1808 to conquer Portugal allied with England.

In addition it came that the continental barrier above all heated the discontent up in the occupied areas, where one was dependent to England on the purchase of English goods and/or colonial goods, above all however on the export: The latter was for instance in that metal processing industry and the textile production starting from 1810 direct of the Bergi country the case which was because of the French-German customs border. Above all however the north Germans of ports saw themselves strongly concerned due to the decrease of the navigation and the outflow of capital to England the barrier. For example the trade of bulk goods broke down such as wood and grain between England and Germany completely. In many places social unrests were the result. The napoleonische rule system was not endangered directly thereby. Its acceptance was strongly damaged due to the continental barrier however in an idealistic sense.

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Related links

Document upon the Continental system (English translation; Source: Napoleon Series)

See also

• Neuenburger affair
• Berlin decrees
• May countries decree
• Rohrzucker

Articles in category "Continental barrier"

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