The author analyzes the consequences of the Continental blockade proclaimed by Napoleon on the two main Dutch ports – Amsterdam and Rotterdam. Noting that, in general, this influence was extremely negative and resulted in an economic crisis that had the most deplorable impact on the economy of both cities, the author notes that Rotterdam, however, suffered much less, because its residents and, above all, its business community were able to better adapt themselves to the new conditions, using their local advantages in the most effective way.