British Order in Council prohibits trade with France and its allies

Background. The Order in Council was part of a broader policy of commercial warfare by the British Privy Council. It responded to the Berlin Decree of November 1806, which forbade trade with Britain. The 1807 decree extended the scope of the blockade instituted in May 1806, targeting French and allied ports. This escalation in economic restrictions played a major role in the deterioration of Anglo-American relations.

Impact on Relations. The collective term 'Orders in Council' refers to multiple blockade decrees, but the 7 January 1807 order is specifically noted as one of the most inflammatory to the Americans. These decrees contributed significantly to the deterioration of Anglo-American relations, which eventually led to the War of 1812. The policy represented a key element of British commercial strategy against France and its allies.

Strategic Context. The decree was issued during the Napoleonic Wars, a period of intense conflict between Britain and France. The British government had previously enacted a naval blockade in May 1806, prompting Napoleon's Berlin Decree. The 1807 Order in Council was a direct response to these developments, extending the range and scope of the blockade to further isolate France and its allies from international trade.