Final answer:
Great Britain pursued law and order in response to the Continental System implemented by Napoleon. They tried to disarm insurgents in the colonies, which led to the Battle of Lexington and Concord, marking the start of the American Revolution. Britain also found ways to circumvent the blockade and continue trade.
Step-by-step explanation:
In response to the Continental System implemented by Napoleon, Great Britain pursued a policy of law and order. Relations between the British and American Patriots had worsened over the years, and the harsh British response to the Boston Tea Party in 1774 led to tensions escalating further. The British tried to disarm the insurgents in Massachusetts, leading to the Battle of Lexington and Concord, which marked the beginning of the American Revolution.
While Napoleon's Continental System aimed to economically strangle Britain, the British found ways to circumvent the blockade, such as seizing the remains of the French Empire in the Caribbean and smuggling goods into Europe. This resulted in the system's short-term success, with British exports dropping and food prices increasing. However, the French and other Europeans still needed British goods, which led to increased smuggling.
Overall, Britain's response to the Continental System was to maintain law and order in the colonies and find alternative ways to continue trade despite the blockade.