From the start of the Napoleonic Wars, Britain had induced a blockade on all neutral trade into France, which the Americans contested as Illegal under International law, In order to man this blockade the British Navy began to commit impressment against American sailors. Due to the Royal Navy's impressment of American Sailors at Sea, which included forcing American Merchants and Sailors to work for the Royal Navy, The United States Congress in 1807 passed the Embargo Act, which was a General Embargo on all foreign nations, including France and Britain which were currently fighting a war in Europe, which America wanted no part of. This unpopular act, which greatly harmed the US Economy was later repealed in 1809. Later, with the War of 1812 starting, the British blockaded the US eastern seaboard to cut off trade and allow the British to raid the coast.

- https://americangimuseum.org/war-of-1812/

- https://www.history.com/topics/war-of-1812/war-of-1812

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