9. Outlawing British Goods—Even Stockings
Napoleon’s rivalry with Britain wasn’t limited to battlefields—it infiltrated everyday life through exhaustive trade bans. He issued decrees outlawing even the most mundane British imports, such as stockings, hats, and household items. Customs officials were tasked with rooting out contraband down to the last thread, turning daily commerce into a game of cat and mouse. This obsessive regulation highlights how Napoleon’s pettiness extended to petty embargoes—all in the name of besting his island adversaries.
