Thomas Jefferson and the Tripoli Pirates

October 15, 2015
For centuries, pirates off the Northern Coast of Africa attacked and plundered Mediterranean commercial ships, kidnaping passengers and crew. When the United States was a new country, the government had neither money nor navy for tribute, ransom, or protection. "Purchased" peace treaties (bribes) were easily broken by tyrannical Barbary state rulers. In 1801, the Bashaw (Pasha) of Tripoli demanded exorbitant payments President Thomas Jefferson refused to pay. He was determined to use force instead of suffering the humiliation and disrespect of repeated demands for money and gifts, as well as the frustration of not being able to prevent the capture and brutal enslavement of white Americans. Ultimately, Jefferson sent ships from the newly established navy, along with marines to protect U.S. shipping and the unsteady American economy, leading the Bashaw to declare war against the United States. In this popular history of the first Tripolitan War, Kilmeade and Yeager (coauthors, "George Washington's Secret Six") focus more on the daring strategies and bold actions of envoys, commodores, and marines who executed Jefferson's policy than on Jefferson himself. The authors propose to enliven the memory of the first U.S. offshore fight to oppose intimidation and lawlessness. VERDICT This work will appeal to all history readers.--Margaret Kappanadze, Elmira Coll. Lib., NY

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