USA HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -impressment, also called crimping, enforcement of military or naval service on able-bodied but unwilling men through crude and violent methods. Until the early 19th century this practice flourished in port towns throughout the world.

Detailed explanation-2: -Impressment, colloquially “the press” or the “press gang", is the taking of men into a military or naval force by compulsion, with or without notice.

Detailed explanation-3: -Impressment, or “press gang” as it was more commonly known, was recruitment by force. It was a practice that directly affected the U.S. and was even one of the causes of the War of 1812. The British navy consistently suffered manpower shortages due to the low pay and a lack of qualified seamen.

Detailed explanation-4: -Primarily, both the draft and conscription are performed and enforced by the government, whereas impressment in this period was carried out by private, individual members of society, even including gruntled fathers who were unhappy with their daughter’s betrothed or captains in need of seamen for upcoming voyages.

Detailed explanation-5: -Impressment was the practice of forcing men to serve in the military against their will. Most often used by the British Navy, impressment often involved violence. Forcing someone to join the military might seem a little extreme, but the British navy used the method for centuries.