Berlin Decree vs. Milan Decree

Attribute	Berlin Decree	Milan Decree
Date Issued	November 21, 1806	December 17, 1807
Issued By	Napoleon Bonaparte	Napoleon Bonaparte
Purpose	To enforce the Continental System against Britain	To counteract the British Orders in Council
Impact	Restricted trade with Britain and its allies	Declared all neutral ships trading with Britain as enemies

Introduction

The Berlin Decree and Milan Decree were two important decrees issued by Napoleon Bonaparte during the Napoleonic Wars. Both decrees had significant impacts on international trade and relations during this period. In this article, we will compare the attributes of the Berlin Decree and Milan Decree to understand their similarities and differences.

Background

The Berlin Decree was issued by Napoleon in 1806 as a response to the British naval blockade of French ports. This decree aimed to establish the Continental System, which prohibited European countries from trading with Britain. The Milan Decree, issued in 1807, further strengthened the Continental System by declaring that any ship that had stopped at a British port or submitted to British inspection would be considered an enemy of France.

Scope

One key difference between the Berlin Decree and Milan Decree is their scope. The Berlin Decree applied to all European countries, while the Milan Decree specifically targeted neutral countries that continued to trade with Britain. This distinction meant that the Milan Decree had a more direct impact on neutral nations such as the United States, which relied heavily on trade with both Britain and France.

Impact on Trade

Both decrees had a significant impact on international trade during the Napoleonic Wars. The Continental System established by the Berlin Decree effectively cut off British trade with Europe, leading to economic hardship in Britain. The Milan Decree further restricted trade by targeting neutral countries, causing tensions between France and the United States. These decrees disrupted global trade patterns and contributed to the escalation of the Napoleonic Wars.

Enforcement

Another important aspect to consider when comparing the Berlin Decree and Milan Decree is their enforcement mechanisms. The Berlin Decree relied on the cooperation of European countries to enforce the Continental System, while the Milan Decree imposed harsh penalties on ships that violated the blockade. This difference in enforcement strategies highlights the escalating nature of Napoleon's efforts to isolate Britain and weaken its economy.

Response from Britain

Both the Berlin Decree and Milan Decree were met with strong opposition from Britain, which viewed these decrees as a threat to its economic interests. In response, Britain implemented its own blockade against French ports and seized neutral ships trading with France. This tit-for-tat escalation of trade restrictions further strained relations between Britain and France, ultimately contributing to the outbreak of the War of 1812.

Legacy

The Berlin Decree and Milan Decree left a lasting legacy on international trade and diplomacy. These decrees demonstrated the use of economic warfare as a tool of statecraft and set a precedent for future blockades and trade restrictions. The impact of these decrees can still be seen in modern trade policies and the regulation of international commerce.