Question

In a short paragraph, explain in your own words what press gangs were and the role they played in impressing sailors.

A. Press gangs were groups of volunteers who joined the Navy.
B. Press gangs were used to protect sailors from impressment.
C. Press gangs were used to forcibly recruit sailors into the Navy.
D. Press gangs were organizations that provided sailors with legal aid.

Answer 1

Press gangs were organizations that forcibly recruited sailors into the Navy.

Step-by-step explanation:

Press gangs were organizations that forcibly recruited sailors into the Navy. The Royal Navy faced a shortage of labor and used press gangs to kidnap men and conscript them into service. These gangs were not picky about the nationality of the recruits and often captured American sailors as well. Sailors were impressed through kidnapping from bars, streets, and other ships.