What naval incident was a major factor in starting a war in 1812?

The major naval incident that contributed to the outbreak of the War of 1812 was the British practice of impressment, where British naval forces forcibly recruited American sailors into their navy. Tensions escalated when the USS Chesapeake was attacked by the HMS Leopard in 1807, leading to the capture of several American sailors. This incident, alongside trade restrictions and maritime rights violations, fueled American resentment and ultimately led to the declaration of war against Britain in 1812.