B LOCKADES

Frank J. Merli and

Robert H. Ferrell

Blockade, historically speaking, has been a maritime measure, to restrict entrance to a harbor or its environs. The word has been stretched to include entire countries. Sometimes "blockade" has meant enforcement or threat of enforcement by land rather than by sea, along the borders of an opposing nation or nations. The blockade has always been an attractive concept to the American people and government, for it has been seen as a way of restricting war and even of preserving peace. In time of war, a narrowly drawn blockade might ward off a conflict and allow a neutral nation, perhaps the United States, to carry on its trade much as before. In time of peace, a blockade might prove sufficient to discourage a quarreling nation from employing military force. According to international law there can be pacific as well as belligerent blockades, but most, of course, have been instituted in wartime. Although other terms—"quarantine," "interdiction," "interception"—have gained currency over the years, the basic concept of blockade has remained an important component of American diplomatic and military policy.

See also A RMED N EUTRALITIES ; A RMS T RANSFERS AND T RADE ; C ONTINENTAL S YSTEM ; E CONOMIC P OLICY AND T HEORY ; E MBARGOES AND S ANCTIONS ; F REEDOM OF THE S EAS ; I NTERNATIONAL L AW ; N AVAL D IPLOMACY ; N EUTRALITY .