Why were American sailors being "impressed" into the English navy during the late 18th century?

During the late 18th century, American sailors were being "impressed" into the English navy primarily because the U.S. government aimed to maintain neutrality in conflicts involving European powers, particularly during the Napoleonic Wars. Despite this neutrality, British naval forces sought to bolster their manpower and often forcibly recruited sailors from American merchant ships, arguing that many seamen were British subjects. This practice caused significant tension between the United States and Great Britain and contributed to rising sentiments in favor of war, as it was seen as an infringement on American sovereignty.

The context of American neutrality is crucial here; even though the U.S. wanted to remain uninvolved in European conflicts, British actions of impressment directly challenged this stance. As a result, option B accurately reflects the underlying reason for the impressment of American sailors during this period.