History Of The Marine Corps

The Barbary Wars are often overshadowed by the American Revolution and the War of 1812, but they were the first real test of the United States’ ability to project power on the global stage. For too long, European nations had dealt with the Barbary States through ransom and tribute payments, essentially buying peace rather than enforcing it. America, at first, did the same. But when demands grew too high and national pride was on the line, the United States made a decision that would define its future—it chose to fight. To understand why the United States went to war with Tripoli, we have to go back long before Jefferson, long before the American Revolution—even before Europeans knew the Americas existed. The roots of this conflict stretch back centuries, shaped by empires, religion, and the brutal economics of the slave trade. This is the story of the Barbary pirates and how their reign of terror finally met its match. ************* Visit HistoryoftheMarineCorps.com to subscribe to our newsletter, explore ep