Barbary Pirates

(noun)

Privateers who operated from North Africa, based primarily in the ports of Tunis, Tripoli, and Algiers; sometimes referred to as the "Ottoman corsairs."

Examples of Barbary Pirates in the following topics:

  • The Barbary Wars

    • The Barbary Wars were two wars fought between the United States and the Northwest African Barbary States in the early nineteenth century.
    • At issue was the Barbary pirates' demand for tribute from American merchant vessels in the Mediterranean Sea.
    • Jefferson led the first campaign, from 1801 to 1805, against pirates' cities in what are today Libya, Tunisia, and Algeria.
    • Pirate ships and crews from the Barbary States regularly attacked and captured ships in the Mediterranean, extorting ransom for the lives of captured sailors and demanding tribute from various countries to avoid further attacks.
    • The Barbary pirate states took this opportunity to resume their practice of attacking American and European merchant vessels in the Mediterranean Sea and holding their crews and officers for ransom.

  • Diplomacy

    • In 1789, Thomas Jefferson, concerned over the failure to fund an American naval force to confront the Barbary pirates, wrote to James Monroe, "It will be said there is no money in the treasury.

  • Conclusion: Early Trials

    • Despite his efforts to decrease the military, Jefferson responded to the capture of American ships and sailors by pirates off the coast of North Africa by leading the United States into war against the Muslim Barbary States in 1801, the first conflict fought by Americans overseas.
    • Both the administrations of Jefferson and Madison undertook actions against the Barbary States at different times.
    • Jefferson led the First Barbary War, from 1801 to 1805, against pirates' cities in what are today Libya, Tunisia, and Algeria.
    • Madison directed forces for the Second Barbary War in 1815.

  • The Adams Presidency

    • He had witnessed the Barbary Wars against the Islamic pirates of North Africa and the Greek War of Independence waged against the Ottoman Turks.

  • The Jefferson Presidency

    • Nonetheless, Jefferson responded to the capture of American ships and sailors by pirates off the coast of North Africa by leading the United States into war against the Muslim Barbary States in 1801, the first conflict fought by Americans overseas.
    • In addition, Jefferson sought unsuccessfully to incorporate Spanish Florida (including the Gulf Coast west to Louisiana) into the Union and engaged in a punitive war with the Barbary States of North Africa.

  • The Role of Foreign Trade

    • In the Philippines, the Spanish defeated the fleet of the infamous Chinese pirate Limahong in 1575, an act greatly appreciated by the Ming admiral who had been sent to capture Limahong.
    • A map of 16th-century Japanese pirate raids, a phenomenon that gave rise to severe trade restrictions in the Ming.

  • Elizabeth I and English Patriotism

    • During her rule, trade and diplomatic relations developed between England and the Barbary states too. 
    • During her rule, trade and diplomatic relations developed between England and the Barbary states too. 

  • Political Parties

    • The multi-party system of proportional representation has allowed a small third party, The Pirate Party, to come to prominence in Sweden, something that would be very unlikely in the United States.
    • The Pirate Party strives to reform laws regarding copyright and patents.
    • The Pirate Party is the third largest party in Sweden in terms of membership.

  • Jackie Robinson

    • After one of the Dodgers' co-owners died, Rickey sold his stock in the team in the fall of 1950 and joined the Pittsburgh Pirates organization.

  • The Norse

    • Known as pre-Christian traders and pirates, Vikings used their great ships to invade European coasts, harbors, and river settlements on a seasonal basis.