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 (Nov. 21, 1806) and Milan (Dec. 17, 1807) proclaimed a blockade: neutrals and French allies were not to trade with the British. To this continental system England responded by Orders in Council which subjected France and all countries in alliance with Napoleon to a counterblockade. The campaign of starvation brought great suffering to the belligerents and vast annoyance to neutrals. It was one of the main causes of the Anglo-American War of 1812. But because the British had an overwhelming superiority at sea, the contest proved disastrous to Napoleonnot only because of the resulting privations but also because to maintain his system he had to take on responsibilities too great for him.