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Not all rulers have the people’s best interests in mind. The Napoleonic age was no exception. Napoleon made changes that were more beneficial for himself rather than for the people of Europe. Changes were made to the economy that mainly benefited Napoleon. Napoleon made political modifications that would mainly increase his power. Changes to religion were only made when they were in Napoleon’s best interests. Some may argue that Napoleon made social changes that gave the people more equality and freedom. But actually, the social changes that he made did not create equality and freedom for everyone. Therefore, Napoleon made reforms that were more favorable for himself rather than for the people of Europe. Economic changes were made by Napoleon to achieve goals which were not in the people’s best interest. Napoleon created the Continental System in 1806 to ruin Britain's economy by closing off all European ports, but for Europe it did more harm than good. The Continental System failed because some Europeans secretly brought in British goods by illegal trade through smuggling in the island of Helgoland. At the same time, the British put their own blockade around Europe. Because the British navy was so stro