Barbary Pirates The United States First War on Terrorism

Barbary Coast Pirates

Who Were the Barbary Pirates? Men who seized ships, crews and passengers all over the Mediterranean Sea if a country had not paid Tribute to them.

Tribute Annual protection money In order for your country to trade in the Med. Sea area you had to pay the Barbary Coast states tribute or risk having your ships, crews, cargos and passengers seized and ransomed

Tribute Many nations paid tribute to the Barbary states in order to trade throughout the Mediterranean Sea. They also paid in supplies and gifts to the rulers.

1801 The Pasha (ruler) of Tripoli told Jefferson that he wanted the U.S. to pay more tribute. Jefferson said the U.S. would not pay the increased tribute, especially when he had never agreed to the current terms.

War is Declared In 1801 Tripoli declares war on the United States, which lasted until 1805.

Jefferson’s Response The United States demonstrated their power at sea, although the United States was very weak.

The U.S. Navy and Marine Corps

U.S. Navy and Marine Corps The United States Navy and Marine Corps engaged the pirates in a series of sea and land battles.

The U.S. Warship Philadelphia The U.S. warship Philadelphia was captured by the pirates and held in Tripoli Harbor The U.S. did not want the pirates to have use of their ships so they devised a plan. They knew they would be unable to remove the ship from the harbor so they decided to destroy it.

Stephen Decatur

Blockade After the burning of the Philadelphia the U.S. Navy set up a blockade of Tripoli harbor Marines under the command of Presley O’Bannon attacked Tripoli from the desert and capture the capital

Peace Treaty is Signed Peace did come between the Barbary Pirates and the U.S. The U.S. continued to pay tribute until 1815, but it did not increase

Trouble on the High Seas The Barbary Coast wars was just one part of the problems the U.S. was having while trading goods across the high seas Soon the issue of impressment would lead Jefferson to make drastic changes in America’s foreign and trade policies with the rest of the world