Berlin Decree

The Berlin Decree was issued by Napoleon on November 21, 1806, following the French success against Prussia at the Battle of Jena. The decree forbade the import of British goods into European countries allied with or dependent upon France, and installed the Continental System in Europe. Any ships who had been discovered trading with Great Britain were liable to French maritime attacks and seizures. His plan was to unite the European countries against Britain. But it failed because he could not control all of Europe. It eventually led to economic ruin for France, while little happened to the economy of Britain, which had control of the Atlantic Ocean trade. Other European nations removed themselves from the Continental System, which led in part to the downfall of Napoleon. The Milan decree for the same purposes was issued the next year.