Impressment refers to the practice of which action?

• A. Drafting soldiers for the U.S. Army
• B. Seizing American ships in neutral waters
• C. Forcing American sailors to serve on British ships
• D. Imposing trade embargo

Answer: (C)

Impressment is the act of forcing someone into military service, usually sailors, by a navy. In this historical context, the British Royal Navy would stop American ships and press eligible sailors into service on British vessels, often taking men who were American-born or had ties to the United States. This caused deep resentment in the United States and contributed to tensions between the two countries.

This is different from drafting soldiers for the U.S. Army, which is conscription; it’s not about seizing ships in neutral waters, which would be about attacking or capturing vessels; and it isn’t about imposing a trade embargo, which is an economic restriction. The behavior described by impressment specifically involves compelling sailors to serve on British ships.