What was impressment?

A) the legal doctrine stating that a slave who traveled to free territory was still in bondage
B) the practice of kidnapping sailors and forcing them to serve in the British navy
C) the legal and economic rights held by an apprentice during his apprenticeship
D) the process through which an immigrant applied for citizenship prior to 1845
E) the legal doctrine that prevented widows from inheriting property upon their husbands' deaths

Impressment

The act of forcibly enlisting individuals into military service, historically practiced by British Navy against American seamen in the early 19th century.

British Navy

The naval warfare force of the United Kingdom, historically one of the world's most powerful navies and a key component of British imperial dominance.

Legal Doctrine

A principle or body of principles presented for acceptance or belief by a legal authority, serving as a foundation for legal decisions and policies.