Final answer:
The War of 1812 was the event that led to shipping and commerce suffering in the United States, due to issues like impressment by the British and restrictions imposed by Britain and France during the Napoleonic Wars.
Step-by-step explanation:
The event that caused shipping and commerce to begin suffering in the United States was b) The War of 1812. The origins of the War of 1812, which is sometimes referred to as the Second War of American Independence, are found in unresolved issues between the United States and Great Britain. Major factors included the British practice of impressment and support of Native Americans against U.S. expansion in the Great Lakes region. Additionally, trade was significantly affected during this period as Britain and France were engaged in the Napoleonic Wars and both countries imposed restrictions on U.S. shipping.