Barbary Pirates Research Paper
Barbary Pirates Barbary pirates wrecked havoc on American trade from 1801 to 1815, causing the United States to lose nearly two million dollars in ransoms and bribes. The economy began to sink under the heavy request of the Barbary States, and the young nation became forced to borrow money from other countries in order to sustain itself. The Barbary states marked a collection of nations located in North Africa, which practiced state-supported piracy. These nations included Morocco, Algiers, Tunis, and Tripoli. Barbary pirates began to tax American merchant ships ever since the country first gained its independence, but it was not until 1801 that Thomas Jefferson decided to stop the practice of bribe payments. In 1787, America signed a tribute
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Before the Revolutionary War, the American merchant ships were protected by the British tribute treaties with the Barbary States. However, when America had gained its independence, it lost that protection and was forced to defend itself. Thomas Jefferson and John Adams disagreed with which direction the country should take concerning the Barbary pirates. Adams believed that by paying tribute, the country could easily get commerce back on track. Jefferson, on the other hand, disagreed. He believed that the demands for tributes would never end, and that the only way to truly stop them would be by forcing the states to end it. This would be the first time the young country would wage war on foreign soil, which would tremendously affect the American foreign policy. Jefferson quickly realized that a bigger military force would be …show more content…
In exchange for the captives and the money’s worth of shipping supplies, the estimated 10 American captives were freed. Algiers signed a treaty that guaranteed no further tribute from the United States. This granted the United States frees shipping rights along the Mediterranean Sea.
The Second Barbary War, proved not to be nearly as exciting or heroic as the First Barbary War might have been. However, it still held just as much significance concerning America’s rights for free trade. This war helped America make an important statement to the North African nations. It gave them access to free trade and helped smother the practice of tributes and treaties. America proved that it would not be an easily conquered country, by defying the Barbary States and regaining their freedoms to trade along the Mediterranean
Before the Revolutionary War, the American merchant ships were protected by the British tribute treaties with the Barbary States. However, when America had gained its independence, it lost that protection and was forced to defend itself. Thomas Jefferson and John Adams disagreed with which direction the country should take concerning the Barbary pirates. Adams believed that by paying tribute, the country could easily get commerce back on track. Jefferson, on the other hand, disagreed. He believed that the demands for tributes would never end, and that the only way to truly stop them would be by forcing the states to end it. This would be the first time the young country would wage war on foreign soil, which would tremendously affect the American foreign policy. Jefferson quickly realized that a bigger military force would be …show more content…
In exchange for the captives and the money’s worth of shipping supplies, the estimated 10 American captives were freed. Algiers signed a treaty that guaranteed no further tribute from the United States. This granted the United States frees shipping rights along the Mediterranean Sea.
The Second Barbary War, proved not to be nearly as exciting or heroic as the First Barbary War might have been. However, it still held just as much significance concerning America’s rights for free trade. This war helped America make an important statement to the North African nations. It gave them access to free trade and helped smother the practice of tributes and treaties. America proved that it would not be an easily conquered country, by defying the Barbary States and regaining their freedoms to trade along the Mediterranean