Battle of the Châteauguay National Historic Site of Canada The
origins of the War of 1812 Napoléon Bonaparte© National Archives
of Québec, Québec / A. Boucher-Desnoyers / P600,S5,PGH68 The
conflict pitting the United States against England was part of a
broader context formed by the Napoleonic Wars in early 19th-
century Europe. The France of Napoléon Bonaparte and the Great
Britain of George III were then engaged in economic warfare,
giving rise to a situation in which France reigned over most of
the European continent whereas England ruled the seas. Georges
III© Musée de la civilisation, Dépôt du Séminaire de Québec /
Edward Smith / 1993.32840 The fundamental stakes of the conflict
between France and England centred on the economy of both
countries. Thus, much like the battles themselves, blows to the
enemy consisted in actions designed to reduce the other side's
capacity to carry on business. A dual blockade thus ensued, in
which France forbade British ships from trading with the
Continent and Great Britain