American-Algerian War (1785-1795)

The Algerian–American war took place between 1785 and 1795 between the freshly independent United States of America and the Regency of Algiers which began attacking American shipments. One of the reasons for the war was a British sabotage efforts against the Americans, whom informed the Algerians of the vulnerability of the American ships, and may have hired or supported the Barbary pirates operating out of the Algerian ports.

Algerian-American War (1785–1795)

Captain William Bainbridge paying tribute to the Dey of Algiers, 1800
Date1785–1795
Location
Mediterranean Sea and Atlantic Ocean
Result

Algerian victory

Belligerents
Regency of Algiers  United States
Commanders and leaders
Muhammad V
Raïs Hamidou		 George Washington
Thomas Jefferson
Strength
Unknown Unknown
Casualties and losses
Unknown 53 ships[3]
2 vessels[3]
1 brig[3]
130 captive (83 released later)

Background

During this time, state-sponsored piracy and hostage ransoming were common practices. European nations even employed privateers and participated in the transatlantic slave trade. Britain andFrance supported the Barbary States piracy policy, benefiting their Mediterranean trade.

Before independence, American colonists were protected by the British Navy. But after the United States declared independence, British diplomats informed the Barbary States that U.S. ships were vulnerable and in 1785, Algiers declared war on the United States.[4]

War

In 1785, Algiers, led by Dey Muhammad, declared war on the United States and captured American ships. The financially struggling Confederation Government couldn't afford a navy or the tribute needed for protection. Conversely, negotiations with Morocco went smoothly after initial tensions. Morocco's Sultan Sidi Muhammad had seized a US merchant ship in 1784 but later opted for peaceful trade. The US successfully formed a treaty with Morocco in 1786, yet couldn't satisfy Algiers financially. Thomas Jefferson, then U.S. Minister to France, tried to assemble a coalition against Algiers but failed.[5] Portugal's conflict with Algiers briefly safeguarded U.S. merchant ships in the Atlantic. In 1793, a Portuguese-Algerian truce left American ships vulnerable, pushing the US to negotiate with the Barbary States.[6]

Peace

US diplomats Joel Barlow, Joseph Donaldson, and Richard O'Brien secured treaties with Algiers, Tunis, and Tripoli, involving tribute payments.[7][8] The Algiers treaty also released 83 American sailors out of 130 seamen.[9]

References
  1. "Milestones: 1801–1829". Office of the Historian, State Department, United States.
  2. David Hunter Miller, ed. (1931). Treaties and Other International Acts of the United States of America. Vol. 2. U.S. Government Printing Office. pp. 275, 303.
  3. Lawrence (2009). Captives and Countrymen – Barbary Slavery and the American Public, 1785 1816. JHU Press. pp. 15–21. ISBN 978-0801891397.
  4. William O. (2009). National Security and Core Values in American History. Cambridge University Press. p. 31. ISBN 9780521518598.
  5. R. Ainad Tabet (1990). Algérie : passé,présent et devenir. FeniXX réédition numérique. ISBN 9782307234029.
  6. Lawrence A.Peskin (2009). Captives and Countrymen Barbary Slavery and the American Public, 1785–1816. JHU Press. ISBN 9780801891397.
  7. Grégoire Jeanne (1894). Histoire des États-Unis. C.F. Chamerot. p. 16.
  8. Don Philpott (2015). Understanding the Department of State. Bernan Press. p. 267. ISBN 9781598887464.
  9. M.A.Khan (2009). Islamic Jihad A Legacy of Forced Conversion, Imperialism, and Slavery. iUniverse. p. 342. ISBN 9781440118463.
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