To the Shores of Tripoli E35: The Fight for the Philadelphia

The United States, barely three decades old, faced a crisis that tested its identity and resolve. After fighting a revolution to escape paying tribute to a distant empire, Americans found themselves doing the same—but this time to Barbary pirates. Captain William Bainbridge’s humiliating ordeal in Algiers exposed the weakness of U.S. foreign policy, forcing a national reckoning. With Thomas Jefferson in office, America would no longer tolerate extortion. A new era had begun—one that would shape the nation’s military and diplomatic future.

*************

Visit HistoryoftheMarineCorps.com to subscribe to our newsletter, explore episode notes and images, and see our references. Follow us on social media for updates and bonus content: Facebook and Twitter (@marinehistory) and Instagram (@historyofthemarines).

Visit AudibleTrial.com/marinehistory for a free audiobook and a 30-day trial.

References:

• A journal, of the captivity and sufferings of John Foss. (n.d.). Christian-Muslim Relations 1500 - 1900. doi: 10.1163/2451-9537_cmrii_com_27678

• Allison, R. (2014). The Crescent Obscured The United States and the Muslim World, 1776-1815. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.

• Baepler, P. M. (1999). White slaves, African masters: an anthology of American barbary captivity narratives. Chicago (Ill.): University of Chicago Press.

• Fisher, G. (1974). Barbary legend: war, trade, and piracy in North Africa, 1415-1830. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press.

• Fremont-Barnes, G. (2006). The wars of the Barbary pirates: to the shores of Tripoli: the rise of the Us Navy and Marines. Oxford, UK: Osprey Pub.

• Irwin, R. W. (1931). The Diplomatic Relations of the United States with the Barbary Powers, 1776-1816. Chapel Hill, NC: University of North Carolina Press.

• Kilmeade, B., & Yaeger, D. (2018). Thomas Jefferson And The Tripoli Pirates: the forgotten war that changed american history. Place of publication not identified: PORTFOLIO PENGUIN.

• Lane-Poole, S., & Kelley, J. D. J. (1894). The Barbary corsairs. London: T. Fisher Unwin.