How would British control of Gibraltar disrupt French shipping?

The British control of Gibraltar would significantly disrupt French shipping primarily by separating the Atlantic and Mediterranean fleets. Gibraltar's strategic location at the entrance of the Mediterranean Sea allows it to act as a key chokepoint between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean. This means that any naval power controlling Gibraltar could effectively monitor and restrict access between these two major maritime routes.

When British forces were in control of Gibraltar, they could limit or block French naval ships from moving between the two bodies of water. This separation could hinder the French from deploying their fleets effectively, as it would complicate their ability to support vessels operating in both the Atlantic and the Mediterranean. As a result, this control would undermine French maritime operations, commerce, and the overall effectiveness of their naval strategy.

The other options do not directly address the impact on shipping lanes or the strategic disruption caused by the control of a critical point like Gibraltar. While enhanced trade routes or new shipping lanes may seem beneficial to France, they do not reflect the specific consequences of British control over Gibraltar on French shipping activities. Additionally, enhancing naval alliances with Spain does not inherently lead to disruption in French shipping but rather could influence regional power dynamics without directly affecting the flow of French maritime trade.