Milan Decree

The Milan Decree was a 1796 decree issued by the French government during the French Revolutionary Wars, declaring that any ships trading with Britain or its allies would be considered lawful prize and confiscated. This aimed to weaken Britain's economy by blocking its trade, but it also led to increased tensions and conflicts with neutral countries like the United States. In essence, it was a form of economic warfare that targeted British commerce, asserting French dominance over maritime trade and challenging neutral nations to choose sides or face consequences.