Britain saw the League as protection for French interests while it was already at war with France and Spain. The operation pursued a limited political objective rather than Danish territory. Its purpose was to break the maritime coalition before its fleets and economic pressure could reinforce Britain's enemies. The 1801 crisis was naval diplomacy backed by force, with combat used to secure a negotiated result.
Chapter · 0:49-3:02
A war aimed at breaking the League
The Copenhagen operation was a British attempt to break the Second League of Armed Neutrality through a limited coercive campaign.