Britain and France each tried to prevent US ships from carrying goods to the other, imposing blockades to obstruct American merchants.
Why the blockades
During the Napoleonic Wars in the early 19th century, both Britain and France engaged in maritime blockades to limit the trade activities of the United States.
These blockades were economic measures implemented to weaken each other's economies and exert control over neutral nations, including the United States.
The blockades imposed by both Britain and France had severe consequences for U.S. trade.