England’s strength was in its trade and commerce. Hence Napoleon decided to attack England by destroying its trade. He issued two decrees from Berlin in 1806 and Milan in 1807 as per which, British goods were fully excluded from the whole of Europe. This was called the Continental System. Since Europe was dependent on England and its imports, the application of this system harmed France more than England. The European nations which depended on imports from England suffered a lot.
As a result, Spain and Portugal were attacked for not observing the Continental System. When there was a civil war in Spain, Napoleon installed his brother Joseph on the Spanish throne against the wishes of its people. There was a national revolution in Spain and England sent its Army which defeated the French Army.