Lessons from Napoleon on how economic warfare can seriously backfire
What looks easy isn't always so
Published in The National
French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte famously blockaded the British during the early 19th century in an attempt to economically coerce France’s erstwhile adversary. Ultimately, his efforts backfired, contributing to his eventual capitulation in 1815. Today, in 2025, leaders looking to use economic isolation against geopolitical rivals would do well to heed the lessons offered by Napoleon’s failed foray.
In 1806, as part of his multi-front war with Great Britain, Napoleon launched the “Continental System”, whereby European countries were banned from trading with Britain. The island state’s rapid population growth during the Industrial Revolution had raised its demand for food, while technological advancement meant that agriculture now competed with manufacturing for land use.