What happened to Americans that were impressed?

Answer 1

Impressment was a practice used primarily by the British Royal Navy in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, where American sailors were forcibly recruited into British naval service. This often occurred when British ships would board American vessels and seize individuals, claiming they were British deserters. This practice heightened tensions between the United States and Britain, contributing to the outbreak of the War of 1812, as many Americans viewed impressment as a violation of their sovereignty and rights. The issue was a significant grievance that fueled anti-British sentiment in the U.S. during this period.