Continental blockade was a strategy used by Napoleon Bonaparte, the then Emperor of France, who it consisted in closing all ports, from all European countries to English trade, during the revolution French. The continental blockade began in 1806, and lasted for over a year.
The main objective of the continental blockade was to weaken the English economy, which was monopolizing the market. Europe with its manufactured products, thus harming French products, according to the view of the emperor. For the blockade strategy to work, it was necessary for all countries in Europe to support the idea, but that was not exactly how it happened.
However, for the full effectiveness of Napoleon's plan, it was necessary to count on all countries, but Portugal had England as its main business partner, and they ended up not participating in the blockade continental. As Portugal was unable to face Napoleon's army, England suggested the transfer of the Portuguese Court to Brazil, thus becoming the seat of the kingdom. This alternative had the support of a part of the Portuguese nobility and was also quite attractive to English interests.
It was exactly at the time of the continental blockade that the Portuguese royal family fled to Brazil, settling all in the city of Rio de Janeiro, in 1808, culminating then, a few years later, in the process of independence of the Brazil.
