Ottoman Algeria in Western Diplomatic History with ... - Bibliothèque

lockades, hostilities, intimidations, and terrorism. Tripoli was blockaded and
bombed by American cruisers during the so called First Barbary War, 1801-
1805, Tunisia was blockaded, and Algiers was intimidated and threatened.
Greek vessels were also taken prize by the “American Navy in its first
imperialistic attempts in the Mediterranean” simply because they were hosting
the Turkish flag. 135
Conclusion
Set within a complex background of international relations, The United
States diplomatic approach to North Africa definitely evolved from an early
simplistic view to a more realistic one. Maneuvers for placing American
Mediterranean trade under the protective umbrella of the European powers
failed. From France to the Netherlands, the American commissioners could
obtain but promises of good office from their sovereigns at a time they were
seeking similarly favorable terms as those enjoyed under the British treaties
with Algiers. Britain, reluctant to let loose of its former colonies, would not
even go beyond recognizing their independence. More, mercantile interests
were strictly opposed to any extension of privileges or opening of imperial
markets to American trade. The interest of Britain resided in curtailing
competition from a raising rival; therefore, instead of providing the requested
protection against Barbary corsairs, it recurred cunningly to the use of the latter
as a weapon against American trade. By inciting corsairs’ attacks against
135 Harlaftis, “Ottoman State, Finance and Maritime Trade,” pp. 21-2.
245