Barbary War

The Barbary War

The Barbary War was from 1801-1805.  This was the first war that the United States fought overseas and it was during the Presidency of Thomas Jefferson.  It was against the four Barbary States which were Morocco, Algiers, Tripoli and Tunis.  This war was also known as the Barbary Coast War and the Tripolitan War. 

For safe passage through Tripolitanian waters the United States was paying $18,000 a year to the ruler of Tripoli.  In the past American ships were seized by Barbary pirates and the crews were enslaved, this fee was to ensure that wouldn’t happen anymore.  The U.S. also made comparable agreements with the rulers of Morocco, Algiers and Tunis.  The pirates raised the tributes the United States traders paid and Jefferson refused to accept the increase, so Tripoli declared war on the United States.  They even cut down the flagstaff in front of the U.S. Consulate. 

The United States prepared to send forces to Tripoli, but there was concern that the other Barbary States would join the war against the U.S.  Naval squadrons arrived in the Mediterranean with a motto of “Millions for defense, but not one cent for tribute!”  Under the command of Commodore Edward Preble and Richard Dale the United States was successful; the enemies shore fortresses were attacked and the coast was obstructed.

On February 16, 1804 Lieutenant Stephen Decatur led a raid on Tripoli.  He had 74 volunteers and they burned the captured American frigate The Philadelphia in the harbor of Tripoli.

In 1805 the battle of Derma ended the war with a great victory.  In Egypt, the first American Flag had been raised in a victory on foreign soil.  In the Marine Battle Hymm, the first line includes “From the halls of Montezuma to the shores of Tripoli”.  This was clearly influenced by the Barbary War. 

First Barbary War (1801-1805)," American History Central, 2010, American History Central. 24 Oct 2010 http://www.americanhistorycentral.com/entry.php?rec=468
http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/ops/barbary.htm
http://www.history.com/topics/tripolitan-war
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barbary_Wars