OTTOMAN CORSAIRS IN THE WESTERN ... - Bilkent University

In the first chapter, the period between the commencement of Spanish operations
in North Africa and the establishment of an independent corsair state in Algeria will be
analysed. The main characteristics of the geographical area, political map of North
Africa with the nature and the roots of the conflict will be discussed in this introductory
chapter. Moreover, this chapter covers a period before the Ottoman Habsburg rivalry.
Yet, the history of the Spanish kingdoms after the Reconquista constitutes important
aspects on the subject, since the roots of the conflict could be found before the
commencement of the Ottoman-Habsburg rivalry. Fernando of Aragon’s political
agenda is not irrelevant to our topic. Furthermore, reasons behind the lack of an
adequate response to the Spanish aggression on behalf of the local powers as well as
behind the inability of Spaniards to follow their victories are important enough to be
included in this thesis. This chapter also describes the first years of Barbarossa’s activity
in the region; that is to say their activities under the aegis of the ruler of Tunis.
In the second chapter, corsairs’ bid for Algiers will be discussed. Barbarossas
would gain the control of Algiers in 1516. Yet, they could not consolidate their power in
the city until the conquest of the Spanish presidio, Peñon of Algiers. Corsairs struggled
after this quick acquisition of the city. Spanish expeditions in 1516 and 1519, Oruç
Re’îs’ death (1518), Khayr al-Din’s second conquest of Algiers (1525) from which he
previously retreated (1520) and finally the conquest of Peñon (1529) will be diligently
described. In the meantime, both the Habsburg-Valois and the Ottoman-Habsburg
rivalry would be outlined in order to put the North African politics in a general
framework of a broader struggle in Europe. The incessant Italian Wars that had
commenced in 1494 and disputed territory of Burgundy would then result in a conflict
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