British impressment

Definition

British impressment refers to the practice of forcibly recruiting American sailors into the British Navy during the late 18th and early 19th centuries. British naval officers would board American ships and seize sailors they claimed were deserters or needed for their own naval service.

Related terms

Chesapeake-Leopard Affair: The Chesapeake-Leopard Affair was an incident in 1807 where a British warship attacked an American ship (the USS Chesapeake) off the coast of Virginia, killing several crew members. This event further inflamed tensions between America and Britain.

Embargo Act of 1807: The Embargo Act was passed by Congress in response to continued impressment by Britain. It banned all exports from the United States as an attempt to pressure Britain into respecting American neutrality rights.

War Hawks: War Hawks were members of Congress who advocated for war against Great Britain before the War of 1812. They viewed impressment as one of many grievances that required military action to resolve.