Continental System and the War against Britain

Question 1

What was issued on the 21st November 1806?

Answer 1

Berlin Decree - brought into effect a large-scale embargo against British trade.

Question 2

What caused the embargo long term?

Answer 2

Britain’s continued hostility to Napoleon, pivotal in the formation of coalitions to remove him and the previous French Republic.​

The inability to France to invade Britain following the Battle of Trafalgar of October of 1805

Question 3

What was a short term cause for the embargo?

Answer 3

As a response to the naval blockade of the French coasts enacted by the British government on 16 May 1806.

Question 4

When did the embargo end?

Answer 4

11th April 1814 after Napoleons first abdication.

Question 5

What did the decree forbid?

Answer 5

The import of British goods into any European countries allied with or dependent upon France - even mail was cut.

Question 6

How much did British exports to Europe drop by?

Answer 6

Dropped from 55% to 25% between 1802 and 1806 but caused little economic damage.

Question 7

What made Napoleon invade Spain in 1808?

Answer 7

Realized that extensive trade was going through Spain

Question 8

What did Napoleon call Spain?

Answer 8

“Spanish ulcer”.​

Question 9

How did the embargo effect Portugal?

Answer 9

Was the first to widely defy the trade with Britain - leading to War in the Iberian Peninsula, especially in Portugal and Peninsula war.

Question 10

How did the embargo effect Sweden?

Answer 10

Sweden, Britain’s ally in the Third Coalition, refused to comply with French demands and was attacked by Russia in February 1808.

Question 11

How did the embargo effect France?

Answer 11

Shipbuilding, and its trades such as rope-making, declined, as did many other industries that relied on overseas markets, such as the linen industries.

Question 12

What happened to the price of staple foods?

Answer 12

Rose in most of continental Europe.​

Question 13

What was the St. Cloud Decree and when was it?

Answer 13

July 1810 opened the southwest of France and the Spanish frontier to limited British trade, and reopened French trade to the United States.​

Question 14

What did it lead to?

Answer 14

International smuggling.

Question 15

Why were Britain fearful of France?

Answer 15

We feared he might invade. We feared a revolution here, with its own version of the Terror.

Question 16

Why were the British insulted?

Answer 16

Napoleon said it deserved no voice in European affairs.

Question 17

What attempt was there to negotiate peace during the war?

Answer 17

Made by Charles James Fox in 1806. The British wanted to retain their overseas conquests and have Hanover restored to George III in exchange for Sicily but French were only willing to cede Malta, Cape Colony, Tobago, and French Indian posts to Britain.

Question 18

What did Britain pay other countries to do?

Answer 18

Paid out large sums of money to other European states, so that they could pay armies in the field against France. These payments are colloquially known as the Golden Cavalry of St George.​

Question 19

Who did Britain provide long term aid to?

Answer 19

Spanish rebellion in the Peninsular War of 1808–1814.

Question 20

Where did Britain manage to take control of in Napoleonic wars?

Answer 20

Cape Colony, British Guiana, Malta, Mauritius and Ceylon.

Question 21

What financial advantages did Britain have?

Answer 21

British subsidies that paid for many of the Austrian and Russian soldiers, peaking at about 450,000 men in 1813.​

Question 22

How much did Britain pay for Russian soldiers?

Answer 22

1803, Britain paid a subsidy of £1.5 million for every 100,000 Russian soldiers in the field.​

Question 23

What did Napoleon have to rely on financially?

Answer 23

Requisitions from conquered lands.