Question

Why do you think the British navy would kidnap American sailors? Here’s a hint: Britain was fighting a war against France at the time.


A. To force the sailors into the British navy to help fight France


B. To give the sailors to France


C. To ask the sailors to sing songs that would entertain scared British soldiers

Answer 1

A. They were forcing sailors into the British navy (impressment) to get manpower for the war against France. This practice—boarding American ships and claiming sailors were British deserters—was a major cause of U.S.–British tensions and the War of 1812.