Western Civilization II / Unit 8 WC2 0714 short lesson, about 20 seconds
The Continental System and Why It Failed
Captions available
The idea
The Continental System boycotted British goods to build a self-sustaining European economy; by late eighteen-oh-seven every port but Denmark's, Sweden's and Portugal's was closed. Britain grew richer on smuggling and seized colonies, and even French uniforms, the anchor says, were bought from Britain.
In practice
Britain took the Danish fleet; Portugal defied the ban.
Where people slip
Portugal's defiance, the witness says, led straight to Spain.
Your place on the trail
Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.
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