Thomas Jefferson and the Tripoli Pirates: The Forgotten Conflict That Modified American Historical past

The mass market version of the New York Instances Bestseller. That is the little-known story of how a newly impartial nation was challenged by 4 Muslim powers and what occurred when America’s third president determined to face as much as intimidation.


 

When Thomas Jefferson grew to become president in 1801, America was deeply in debt and wanted its financial system to develop shortly, however its service provider ships have been beneath assault. Pirates from North Africa routinely captured American sailors and held them as slaves, demanding ransom and tribute far past what the brand new nation might afford.

 

Jefferson discovered it not possible to barter with the leaders of the Barbary states, who believed their faith justified the plunder and enslavement of non-Muslims. These rogue states would present no mercy, so President Jefferson determined to maneuver past diplomacy. He despatched the U.S. Navy’s new warships and a detachment of Marines to blockade Tripoli–launching the Barbary Wars and starting America’s journey towards future superpower standing.

 

As they did in George Washington’s Secret Six, Kilmeade and Yaeger have reworked a virtually forgotten slice of historical past right into a dramatic story that can maintain you turning the pages to search out out what occurs subsequent. Among the many many suspenseful episodes:

· Lieutenant Andrew Sterett’s ferocious cannon battle on the excessive seas in opposition to the treacherous pirate ship Tripoli.

· Lieutenant Stephen Decatur’s daring evening raid of an enemy harbor, with the goal of destroying an American ship that had fallen into the pirates’ arms.

· Normal William Eaton’s 500-mile march from Egypt to the port of Derne, the place the Marines launched a shock assault and an American flag was raised in victory on overseas soil for the primary time.