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UNIT 5: young Nation
UNIT 5: young Nation
Lesson: Barbary War
Lesson: Barbary War
Tennessee State Standard:
Tennessee State Standard:
8.30 Explain the major events of Thomas Jefferson’s presidency, including: Conflict with the Barbary Pirates & the Embargo Act; the Lewis and Clark Expedition & the Louisiana Purchase.
8.30 Explain the major events of Thomas Jefferson’s presidency, including: Conflict with the Barbary Pirates & the Embargo Act; the Lewis and Clark Expedition & the Louisiana Purchase.
THE EVENTS OF THOMAS JEFFERSON'S PRESIDENCY
THE EVENTS OF THOMAS JEFFERSON'S PRESIDENCY
Thomas Jefferson served as President of the United States for two terms from 1801 to 1809. Jefferson had doubts about increasing the power of the federal government. However, once in office, he pursued policies that benefited the long term future of the growing country, even if those policies strengthened the power of the federal government and the office of president.
THE BARBARY WAR
THE BARBARY WAR
For hundreds of years, the Mediterranean Sea had been the center of important trade routes between Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. The United States needed access to those trade routes for its own economy to grow. When an American ship sailed into the Mediterranean, though, it had to deal with the Barbary Pirates of the Barbary States.
The Barbary Pirates demanded tribute (money) from merchant ships passing along the Barbary Coast. Ships that did not pay would be attacked, have their cargo seized, and their crews enslaved.
TRIPOLI DECLARES WAR
TRIPOLI DECLARES WAR
Jefferson believed in free trade and found the situation with the Barbary States intolerable. The Barbary Pirates, however, were protected by the local rulers.
In 1801, the ruler of one of the Barbary States, Tripoli, declared war on the United States, claiming that US ships had failed to pay tribute. President Jefferson responded by sending the U.S. Navy to set a blockade in Tripoli´s harbors.
Beginning in 1802, a fleet of US naval war ships fought Tripoli´s pirate fleet. In April 1805, the United States launched a successful combined sea and land attack on the Barbary States.
The government of Tripoli agreed to sign a peace treaty and permit the United States to trade freely in the Mediterranean Sea. President Jefferson proved that the United States was capable of protecting its own interests.
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