Pirate ships from the North African states of Tripoli, Tunis, Morocco and Algiers wreaked havoc on the Mediterranean, capturing merchant ships and holding their crews for ransom. After winning it's independence under the articles of confederation in 1783, America was no longer protected from the dangers of the Barbary pirates. In 1785, Algerian pirates captured the Maria and later the Dauphin taking the crews of each as hostages. After initial failed attempts at diplomacy with Algiers in 1792, Congress began to allocate funds to be used not only to redeem the hostages, but also to establish a lasting peace. After delays caused by the death of the first two negotiators, John Paul Jones and Thomas Barclays, the United States finally signed a treaty with Algiers. In this treaty Washington agreed to pay $642,500 to release the hostages and then continue to pay tribute of $21,600 annually to protect American ships from piracy.
Thomas Jefferson opposed the peace treaty, and would several years later choose war over paying additional tribute. But in 1795, America did not have a strong Navy to protect ships, and had to rely upon paying ransom and tribute. George Washington addressed this in his annual address to congress that year:
While the Barbary Pirates did loot the cargo from ships, their main objective was the capture of slaves. From Wikipedia
"Often overlooked by modern historians is the length and magnitude of white enslavement by Africans that pre-dates the black African transatlantic slave trade. According to a study by Ohio State University history Professor Robert Davis and detailed in his book Christian Slaves, Muslim Masters: White Slavery in the Mediterranean, the Barbary Coast and Italy, 1500-1800, between 1 million and 1.25 million Europeans were captured by Barbary pirates and sold as slaves in North Africa between the 16th and 19th centuries."
http://
http://
http://
http://memory.loc.gov/
http://
Thomas Jefferson opposed the peace treaty, and would several years later choose war over paying additional tribute. But in 1795, America did not have a strong Navy to protect ships, and had to rely upon paying ransom and tribute. George Washington addressed this in his annual address to congress that year:
"A letter from the Emperor of Morocco announces to me his recognition of our treaty made with his father, the late Emperor, and consequently the continuance of peace with that power. With peculiar satisfaction I add that information has been received from an agent deputed on our part to Algiers importing that the terms of the treaty with the Day and Regency of that country had been adjusted in such a manner as to authorize the expectation of a speedy peace and the resolution of our unfortunate fellow citizens from a grievous captivity."
While the Barbary Pirates did loot the cargo from ships, their main objective was the capture of slaves. From Wikipedia
"Often overlooked by modern historians is the length and magnitude of white enslavement by Africans that pre-dates the black African transatlantic slave trade. According to a study by Ohio State University history Professor Robert Davis and detailed in his book Christian Slaves, Muslim Masters: White Slavery in the Mediterranean, the Barbary Coast and Italy, 1500-1800, between 1 million and 1.25 million Europeans were captured by Barbary pirates and sold as slaves in North Africa between the 16th and 19th centuries."
http://
http://
http://
http://memory.loc.gov/
http://
World is too small
ReplyDelete