The first three coalition wars still ended as French victories despite repeated British success at sea. Britain seized French overseas interests and financed continental armies, while Napoleon won more land battles than he lost and forced favorable treaties. Wellington's later Peninsular campaign was one successful exception among the coalition efforts discussed here. Naval combat could also go against Britain even when British sea power was formidable. Trafalgar mattered strategically, yet it did not immediately defeat Napoleon's continental system.
Notable Point · 6:56-9:17
Why the coalition wars could still be French victories
British victories at sea and overseas did not decide the first three coalition wars because Napoleon kept defeating coalition armies and forcing favorable treaties.