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Y213: The French Revolution and the Rule of Napoleon 1774–1815

The decline and fall of Napoleon 1807–1815: the Continental System, the Peninsular War and Russia

  • 3 things to know
  • Unit group 2

Overview

Recall questions on the Continental System and Britain’s reply, its failure, the war in Spain and Wellington’s part, and the invasion of Russia, Borodino and the destruction of the Grande Armée.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

Your recallNot started
Evaluation

Why did the Continental System fail?

Who and when

How did Britain reply to the Berlin and Milan Decrees?

Key term

Explain why Spain was called the ‘Spanish ulcer’.

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

  1. 1

    Define the Continental System.

    Model answer

    It was the attempt, begun by the Berlin Decree of 1806 and extended by the Milan Decrees of 1807, to close continental ports to British goods and ships and so ruin Britain's trade.

  2. 2

    What did Napoleon expect the Continental System to achieve?

    Model answer

    He expected a glut of unsold British manufactures, a drain of gold, bankruptcies and unemployment to force the British government to make peace.

  3. 3

    How did Britain reply to the Berlin and Milan Decrees?

    Model answer

    The Orders in Council required neutral shipping bound for Europe to call at a British port and pay duties, which turned neutrals, above all the United States, against Britain but kept British trade flowing.

  4. 4

    Why did the Continental System fail?

    Model answer

    Smuggling was massive, Britain opened new markets in Latin America and the Baltic, the Royal Navy could not be excluded from the seas, and the blockade hurt French allies more than it hurt Britain.

  5. 5

    How did the war in Spain begin?

    Model answer

    Enforcement of the blockade drew Napoleon into Portugal in 1807 and then into Spain, where French troops occupied Madrid and provoked the Dos de Mayo rising in 1808; he then deposed the Bourbons and installed his brother Joseph.

  6. 6

    Explain why Spain was called the ‘Spanish ulcer’.

    Model answer

    Guerrilla bands supported by the clergy tied down some three hundred thousand French troops, murdered couriers and foragers, and bled the army continuously without ever offering a decisive battle.

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Attempt a question from memory, write the correct version, then attempt it again. Levo records the jump between your first attempt and your last, and brings each question back on the day you are due to forget it.

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