What issue led to the Chesapeake-Leopard affair and heightened tensions with Britain?

The Chesapeake-Leopard affair was a significant event that heightened tensions between the United States and Great Britain in the early 19th century. The incident involved the British warship HMS Leopard attacking the USS Chesapeake, leading to a confrontation that laid bare the issues surrounding impressment. Impressment was the British practice of forcibly recruiting sailors into their navy, which often included American citizens.

In the context of the Chesapeake-Leopard affair, British impressment of American sailors was a crucial factor. Many Americans viewed this as a violation of their rights and sovereignty, fueling nationalistic sentiments and calls for a stronger response against British aggression. The incident underscored the frustrations the U.S. faced due to British maritime practices, particularly in the wake of the War of 1812, which occurred shortly after.

The other options, while relevant to the broader context of American-British relations, do not specifically highlight the primary cause of the Chesapeake-Leopard affair. For instance, American impressment of British sailors did not occur, as it was primarily Britain that engaged in such practices. Trade rights violations and expansion into British territories, although notable issues during the period, were not the direct causes of the tension surrounding this particular incident. The direct clash and the subsequent upro