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Date of Award

Summer 2024

Document Type

Masters Thesis

Department or Program Affiliation

History

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Department

History

First Advisor

Neem, Johann N.

Second Advisor

Price, Hunter

Third Advisor

Hardesty, Jared

Abstract

Much of the previous research on the United States’ wars in Barbary has emphasized the period of armed conflict that began with the Tripolitan War in 1801 and ended with the Algerine War in 1815. This research focuses on the diplomatic history of the United States in North Africa between 1783-95. This earlier period has gone under the radar in historical studies despite its critical role in setting up the hostage crises that led the U.S. to undertake armed interventions in North Africa during the Jefferson and Madison administrations. This thesis tracks the development of U.S. foreign policy in the Mediterranean during the Confederation period and the Washington Presidency, while tying the U.S. North African Corsair Conflicts into the wider struggle to establish American sovereignty in the Atlantic world. As American diplomats like Thomas Jefferson worked to free American captives in Algiers, without success, the U.S. eventually changed its foreign policy so that it could project force abroad and protect the sovereignty of its citizens. The decision to turn to force, however, was the result of decades of failed efforts where the United States learned the rules of the North African Corsair System and what would be required to enter it and gain access to the lucrative Mediterranean market. When placed in context, the U.S. North African Conflicts are another historical site demonstrating the limitations of U.S. power directly after achieving independence.

Type

Text

Keywords

Early Modern, Atlantic World, Mediterranean, U.S. Diplomacy, World Systems

Publisher

Western Washington University

OCLC Number

1451729131

Subject – LCSH

Pirates--Africa, North--History--18th century; Piracy--Africa, North--History--18th century; Slave trade--Africa, North--History--18th century; Slavery--Africa, North--History--18th century

Geographic Coverage

United States-Relations--Africa, North--18th century; Africa, North--Relations--United States--18th century; United States--Foreign relations--1783-1815; Africa, North--Foreign relations--18th century; Mediterranean Region--History, Naval--18th century; Africa, North--History, Naval--18th century

Format

application/pdf

Genre/Form

masters theses

Language

English

Rights

Copying of this document in whole or in part is allowable only for scholarly purposes. It is understood, however, that any copying or publication of this document for commercial purposes, or for financial gain, shall not be allowed without the author’s written permission.

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