Napoleon's downfall

With control of access to southern Europe, Napoleon could enforce the Continental System more effectively and continue to chip away at the British economy. ” Due to the fact that the British military had always depended on their navy, there were various institutions in place that would ensure that British naval commanders were skilled and disciplined at sea.

Despite all of the circumstances that may have hindered the effect of the Continental System, Napoleon’s indirect approach to defeating the battle between the elephant and the whale could have been accomplished if Napoleon had set long –term goals for Continental System. This illuminates the fact that if continental Europe was still dependent on British goods, then the effects of the continental system will not only hurt Britain but also Europe as a whole. As a result, country’s like Russia and France would be left with no other choice but to breach the Continental System to sustain their own respective economies. After the treaty of Tilsit in 1808, the Napoleonic Empire was actually void of any immediate threat, which should have been sustained by Napoleon. Given all the newly gained resources in Napoleon’s Empire, it was possible for France to consolidate these resources and create an industrialized state that would rival the economy of Britain.

Another measure that would need to be undertaken to keep the continental system stable, is to consolidate the Napoleonic empire without engaging and new enemies. As a result, if these three measures were focused on and developed over time, than the Continental System would truly begin to take its toll on Britain. Without the resources from Europe, Britain truly would suffer the expected effects of the Continental System and would slowly be depleted of its resources, leaving Britain in a vulnerable position. For example, in 1807, Britain moved against Denmark when it became known there was a French move to grab the Danish fleet. First, the British were well aware of Napoleon’s increasing power in Europe, and therefore used their naval force to make sure that Napoleon could not enhance his military by gaining sea power. However, this time Napoleon would have to send a larger army to ensure that Ireland stay under French control. For example, if Napoleon had taken the initiative to actual attempt to consolidate his empire, instead of letting his tactical success “conquer himself to death”, then France would be allowed the opportunity to focus on developing a navy to control trade in local waters.