Final answer:
The British practice of impressment involved forcefully recruiting American sailors from U.S. ships into the Royal Navy, which spurred major tensions between Britain and the United States, leading to the Embargo Act of 1807 and contributing to the onset of the War of 1812.
Step-by-step explanation:
The act of the British taking American sailors off of American ships and forcing them to serve in the British Navy is known as impressment. This practice became particularly contentious leading up to the War of 1812. During the period of open season on American ships, England was the major offender, often seizing American vessels on the high seas for the Royal Navy's use. The situation escalated in 1807 when the HMS Leopard attacked the U.S. naval ship, the USS Chesapeake, off the coast of Norfolk, Virginia, leading President Thomas Jefferson to enact the Embargo Act of 1807 in response.
Impressment contributed significantly to the tensions between Britain and the United States, showcasing the assertiveness of British naval policy during the Napoleonic Wars, even if it did not reflect the official desires of the British government. This act was one of the key grievances that fueled American resentment and eventually contributed to the declaration of war against Britain, marking the beginning of the War of 1812.