Timeline

February 17, 1801: Thomas Jefferson becomes president

March 1801: Tripoli declares war on the United States seizes numerous American merchant ships

May 15, 1801: Jefferson sends a naval squadron to Tripoli to blockade the port (July 24th-September 3rd)

August 1, 1801: USS Enterprise capture admiral's ship after battle and is the first naval victory of the Barbary wars

February 6, 1802: Congress passed an Act for Protection against Tripolitian Corsairs which was a declaration of war

June 17, 1802: Emperor of Morocco declares was on U.S

January 17, 1803: Edward Preble leads American squadron to the Mediterranean