What was the Chesapeake-Leopard affair?

The Chesapeake-Leopard affair was an incident that took place on 22 June 1807, when a British warship, HMS Leopard, fired on and boarded an American ship USS Chesapeake while searching for deserters from the Royal Navy. It was one of the events leading to the War of 1812.

How did the United States respond to the Chesapeake-Leopard affair?

The United States responded to the Chesapeake-Leopard affair by implementing the Embargo Act of 1807, in which it closed its ports to foreign nations. Intended as a show of strength, the Embargo Act negatively affected the US economy and was repealed in March 1809.

Why did HMS Leopard attack USS Chesapeake?

HMS Leopard attacked the USS Chesapeake because the American commodore refused to give up four deserters from the Royal Navy who were serving aboard the Chesapeake.

Chesapeake-Leopard Affair Timeline

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Definition

The Chesapeake-Leopard affair was an incident that took place off the coast of Norfolk, Virginia, on 22 June 1807 when the British warship HMS Leopard fired on and boarded an American frigate USS Chesapeake while searching for deserters from the Royal Navy. The incident was one of the events that led to the War of 1812.

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