Essential Facts
- The Continental System aimed to weaken Britain through an economic blockade while France was at war with Britain.
- It led to increased tariffs and trade restrictions across Europe.
- The policies hurt France and its territories more than they hurt Britain.
- The United States was affected, either due to its status as a neutral nation or as a British trading partner.
Dates
- November 21, 1806 — Napoleon issued the Berlin Decree, which established the Continental System. It blocked access to French-controlled ports on the Continent to any ships sailing from a British-controlled port, including American ships.
- December 17, 1807 — The Milan Decree expanded the Continental System. It authorized French ships and Privateers to seize neutral ships that complied with British shipping regulations, including American ships.
- April 17, 1808 — The Bayonne Decree ordered the seizure of all American ships in French-controlled ports.
- March 23, 1810 — The Rambouillet Decree required the seizure of American ships in French ports.
- August 5, 1810 — Napoleon added tariffs to the Continental System with the Trianon Decree and raised the duties on American cotton.
- October 18, 1810 — The Fontainebleau Decree added penalties for smuggling to the Continental System.
- April 28, 1811 — Napoleon announced the St. Cloud Decree, which relaxed the Continental System and allowed British and American ships to access French ports as long as they purchased a license.
Significance
The Continental System is important to American History because it was part of the trade war between Britain and France that affected the United States during the New Nation Era. Although the U.S. tried to defend its trade rights as a neutral nation, France continued to harass American ships, which contributed to the outbreak of the War of 1812.
Overview and History
The Continental System was a series of Decrees issued by Napoleon Bonaparte, the Emperor of France. During the Napoleonic Wars, France was at war with Britain. As part of the conflict, France used the Continental System to restrict British ships and merchant ships from neutral nations, like the United States, from sailing to French-controlled ports in Europe (the Continent). While the Continental System was intended to disrupt British trade, it also impacted the U.S. economy, increased tensions with and contributed to the War of 1812.
Continental System APUSH
The Continental System is part of the following units, topics, and chapters in the AP US History curriculum:
Unit 4: 1800–1848
- Topic 4.4 — America on the World Stage
American Pageant Notes
- Chapter 11 — Triumphs and Travails of the Jeffersonian Republic (1800–1812)
- Chapter 12 — The Second War for Independence and the Upsurge of Nationalism (1812–1824)
American History Central
- Foreign Affairs in the New Nation
- War of 1812 — Causes of the War, Maritime Disputes
