The United States declared war on Britain in 1812. It did so because Britain refused to stop seizing American ships that traded with France—Britain's enemy in Europe. Sometimes there were also seizures of American sailors. These seizures were known as impressment
The first reason why the United States fought Britain in the War of 1812 was to end the practice of impressment against American sailors. The United States traded with Britain and France during the War of 1812, going against blockades in both countries. Britain impressed American sailors onto its ships in order to maintain its own merchant marine.
