the continental system was designed to hurt france.
who was the continental system designed to hurt?
france
economic warfare continued: the french continental system against the british naval blockade of french-controlled territory. due to military shortages and lack of organisation in french territory, many breaches of the continental system occurred as french-dominated states tolerated or even encouraged trade with british smugglers. in terms of economic damage to great britain, the blockade was largely ineffective. as napoleon realised that extensive trade was going through spain and russia, he invaded those two countries. he tied down his forces in spain, and lost very badly in russia in 1812.
napoleonic wars
napoleon also attempted economic warfare against britain, especially in the berlin decree of 1806. it forbade the import of british goods into european countries allied with or dependent upon france, and installed the continental system in europe. all connections were to be cut, even the mail. british merchants smuggled in many goods and the continental system was not a powerful weapon of economic war. there was some damage to britain, especially in 1808 and 1811, but its control of the oceans helped ameliorate the damage. even more damage was done to the economies of france and its allies, which lost a useful trading partner. angry governments gained an incentive to ignore the continental system, which led to the weakening of napoleon's coalition.
history of the united kingdom