In 1812 the United States declared war on Britain because of perceived British belligerence on the high seas as well as their actions in the Americas. Prior to 1812 the British attempted to place an embargo against France who they were at war with to prevent trade with the US. In addition the British used the practice of impressment, whereby they forced American seamen into joining the British Navy once their ships were captured. A final reason was that the British were arming the Native Americans to fight the U.S. on its western front. For all of these reasons the U.S. declared war on Britain.