Key American Figures

1) Thomas Jefferson: He was the new president in 1801, and refused to pay $225,000 tribute that Tripoli demanded. He instead sent naval ships to the Mediterranean to defend American ships. He led America into victory in the first Barbary war.

2) James Madison: He was the president during the second Barbary war. The Algiers declared war on the United States in 1815 and in response to them President Madison sent Stephen Decatur to Algiers with 10 U.S. vessels. Decatur forced Algiers to sign a treaty to renounce the U.S. tribute method and declare the release of all U.S. captives without a ransom price.