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

European powers but also with the ‘Coast of Barbary’ states. In 1801, Jefferson
initiated a policy which consisted of keeping the U.S. navy squadrons in
constant cruises near the cost of North Africa alleging protection of American
traders against pirates’ attacks. In fact, the Americans were intent upon
terminating tribute and acquiring the status of a major naval power on the same
basis as the great European powers. After two wars fought successfully against
France and Great Britain, the American devised plans for attacking Algiers.
The crisis which developed in 1812 over the delivery of stores was exploited
almost three years later and served as a justification for sending squadrons to
Algiers.
With American squadrons patrolling in the Mediterranean and
threatening Muslim states, the United States entered an era of gunboat
diplomacy. With Algiers, the Americans declared war in 1815 and forced two
treaties on the Dey of Algiers at the mouth of cannons thus shattering
supremacy of Algiers’ corsairing diplomacy. A dissection of the so-called
Second Barbary War, 1815-1816 shows in fact that American late 19 th century
imperialism was given expression earlier in the exhibitions of naval force at the
shores of Algiers and repeated threats to use that force in case Algiers did not
abide by America’s terms. By the end, corsairing diplomacy crumbled; a fact
which gave way to American gunboat diplomacy and subsequently European
colonialism in the area.
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