During the Napoleonic Wars, British sea power constrained French coastal and international trade more effectively than France could damage Britain's economic system. Geography made naval expenditure essential for Britain, while France still had to prioritize armies along its land frontiers. Protected commerce and financial strength then allowed Britain to subsidize Prussian, Spanish, Dutch, and other continental forces. Naval power thus protected economic power and created military options ashore.
Notable Point · 1:37:28-1:39:17
Naval power protects the economic base of war
Britain's navy attacked French coastal and overseas commerce while protecting the trade and credit that let Britain finance allied armies on the continent.