11-18 Embargo Act Day 9

Reading: Jefferson and the Pirates

Scroll down to see the questions.

Despite the dangers of sea travel in the early 1800's, the economy of U.S. depended on global trade, The U.S. depended on trade with foreign nations in the far-off lands in South America, Africa, and countries along the Mediterranean Sea. Some of the dangers of sailing in foreign seas was the terrorizing of American merchant ships by pirates. The American merchants had to be on guard for pirates from Tripoli and others from Barbary Coast states of North Africa along the Mediterranean Sea. For years, these pirates had been demanding tribute, or protection money, from European countries to let their ships pass safely along the Mediterranean Sea.

The U.S, also had to pay a tribute to the ruler of Tripoli, however it was not enough. In 1804, Tripoli pirates seized the U.S, warship Philadelphia and threw the captain and crew into jail. President Jefferson sent his Secretary of State James Madison to negotiate with the ruler of Tripoli to stop demanding tribute and release the American sailors or the U.S. would declare war.

Negotiations finally ended the conflict with Tripoli agreeing to stop demanding tributes and seizing American ships. However, the U.S. had to pay a ransom of $60,000 for the release of the American sailors. Despite the ransom payment, Jefferson followed Washington's foreign policy precedent of neutrality.

Prompt:

How did Jefferson deal with the Tripoli Pirates and how did that reflect Washington's policies?