Barbary Wars

1775, a shot was heard around the world. 1781 the canons fall silent outside of Yorktown as British General Lord Charles Cornwallis surrenders, and the American Revolution ended. 1789 George Washington becomes the first President. 1786, the United States negotiates, ratifies, and enacts its first treaty, a treaty that has remained unbroken and unchanged for 239 years, a treaty with Morocco. 1795 diplomats are sent to the remaining Barbary states of Algiers, Tunis, and Tripoli. These negotiations are not successful in the long term and by 1801 the first Barbary War, or Tripolitan War would begin.

As you embark on this quest think of the different approaches in dealing with the Barbary Pirates. Upon completion, in no less than 5 sentences, describe your position on the Barbary pirates. Would you have gone to war or gone the diplomatic route and continued to pay tribute? Why?

In no less than 4 sentences what did you find most interesting about the Mount Vernon tour? (5 pts) https://www.mountvernon.org/education/interactive-tools

What were the two ships captured off the coast of Portugal in late July 1785? (0.5pts) https://washingtonpapers.org/resources/topics/gw-and-the-barbary-coast-pirates/

In what year did the United States Congress authorize the commission of our first naval ships? (0.5pts) https://history.state.gov/milestones/1801-1829/barbary-wars

In no less than 4 sentences what was your favorite portion of the Monticello tour? (5 pts) https://virtualtour.monticello.org/

In what role did Thomas Jefferson first recommend Congress declare war on the Barbary Pirates? (0.5pts.0  https://billofrightsinstitute.org/e-lessons/commander-in-chief-barbary-pirates

In 1800 which nation did Pasha Yusuf Qaramanli go to war with after breaking a treaty? (3pts) https://www.monticello.org/research-education/thomas-jefferson-encyclopedia/first-barbary-war/

Immediately following the end of the War of 1812 what did President James Madison request? (0.5pts) https://www.history.navy.mil/content/history/nhhc/browse-by-topic/wars-conflicts-and-operations/barbary-wars.html

In 1-2 sentences summarize the events that led up to Barbary Wars (4 points) 

In no more than 5 sentences explain key events from both the First and Second Barbary War (4 pts) https://clements.umich.edu/exhibit/barbary-wars/

Provide at least three names for both the American and Barbary side of the war. (3 points) Extra names will receive extra points.

The Barbary Wars were America's first foreign conflict, it was the reason the United States created the Navy and while for many it has gone unmentioned for generations of history classes in the Marines it was never forgotten as the line "...to the shores of Tripoli..." in the Marine Corps hymn comes from these wars as does the Marine nickname leatherneck and the sword included in the dress uniform. It was our first war on foreign soil and our first victory and it all started with the capture of two ships in the 1780s. 

Bill of Rights Institute . (2025). Commander in Chief: Barbary pirates. Bill of Rights Institute. https://billofrightsinstitute.org/e-lessons/commander-in-chief-barbary-…

Huff, E. (2022). First Barbary war. Monticello. https://www.monticello.org/research-education/thomas-jefferson-encyclop…

Naval History and Heritage Command. (2024). Barbary wars. Public2.Nhhcaws.local. https://www.history.navy.mil/content/history/nhhc/browse-by-topic/wars-…

Office of the Historian. (2019). Milestones: 1801–1829 - office of the historian. State.gov. https://history.state.gov/milestones/1801-1829/barbary-wars

University of Virginia . (2017). George Washington and the Barbary coast pirates. Washington Papers. https://washingtonpapers.org/resources/topics/gw-and-the-barbary-coast-…

William L. Clements Library| University of Michigan . (2025). Barbary wars at the Clements. UM Clements Library. https://clements.umich.edu/exhibit/barbary-wars/

This is a tool to supplement and enhance a lesson on the Barbary Wars.