The United States went to war with England in 1812 because England refused to treat the United States as a neutral country. England often interfered with American freedom of the seas. The English navy impressed, or kidnapped, men off American ships and forced them to join the English navy. English ships often hindered American fishing off the coast of Newfoundland. English ships also took cargo off American ships headed for France. English interference was not limited to the sea. England still had several forts in the American territory and Canada. Soldiers from these forts encouraged Indians to attack American settlers.