ABSTRACT
A siege differs from a blockade in that a siege necessarily involves the notion of attack and ultimate capture by means of siege works or assault. The purpose of blockade is, primarily, by depriving the inhabitants of the hostile State of all commercial intercourse by sea with the rest of the world, and thus subjecting it to privation, to coerce it to seek peace on terms acceptable to the other belligerent. Much controversy has taken place concerning the origin of this undoubted right of belligerents to prevent neutrals carrying on trade with ports or places which are blockaded. The attitude which is authoritatively assumed by all States is that no blockade will be treated as binding on neutral Powers, unless the same is effectively maintained. One of the most remarkable blockades in history was that of the Confederate States seaboard during the American Civil War of 1861.
