This is a summary and analysis of the Brian Kilmeade and Don Yaeger book, Thomas Jefferson and the Tripoli Pirates: The Forgotten War That Changed American History. This conflict, one of America's first as a fledgling independent nation, has been called America's first war on terror. Barbary pirates had taken to capturing sea vessels, disrupting trade, and enslaving seafarers and demanding a peace price to leave those ships alone (for ever decreasing periods of time at ever increasing prices) and ransom (at ever increasing prices) for the sailors. Europe's developed nations paid them off, but Jefferson knew that could not stand. After winning support at home, he built up a small but effective navy, and through it won a victory that established America's reputation as a strong nation able to defend itself and its interests abroad.
The main points discussed are:
1. The war with Tripoli, while often overlooked, was important in establishing America's reputation as a nation able to defend itself. This was especially critical so soon after the revolution as it warned European powers not to try to try to take over the states and turn them back into colonies.
2. The pirates captured us ships and sailors, mistreating and sometimes killing them, for both ransom and for religious leaders. The US sailors were primarily Christian. The pirates were primarily Muslim. The two groups have a long history of animosity.
3. Pirates disrupted and sometimes completely halted trade in the area, trade that was critical for the US to repay its revolutionary war debts and build its own economy. Some nations paid for safe passage, for as long as the pirates chose to grant it, but the US would not be able, nor willing, to keep that up for long.
4. John Adams and Thomas Jefferson disagreed on how to handle the pirates. Adams argues for peace. Jefferson for war. The points both made are fairly well laid out in this excerpt.
5. The naval fleet, while small, was effective largely due to good leadership. This book does not spend much time on clashes or tactics, it being a small summary, but it does cover some of the more important leaders involved, such as Edward Preble.
6. This conflict, over sea and over land via Egypt, served as a proving ground for the US. Again, specific battles are not detailed, but the efforts of William Eaton are discussed at length. He was a very interesting figure, and I plan to read more about him in particular.
7. Data was kept carefully classified until ready to be acted upon. Actions against a captured US vessel or to install a new Tripoli leader were kept secret for many reasons. The excerpt author notes that "the incident has not made the pages of many history books, landing the plan in pseudo secrecy once again".
8. At some points in the conflict, leadership proved ineffective due to intrinsic or extrinsic factors. Captain Richard Valentine Morris, for example, is discussed at length.
I am of the opinion that history ought to be taught first from a high level, to get a sense of all the major events in broad brush strokes, just to get one's bearings. Then come down to this level, skimming quickly over the entirety of US history, or whatever history you're studying. Then get into the weeds with the details of major events. Most schools start in the weeds and students struggle to get perspective. I would recommend anyone interested in learning more about American history, or for parents who have children starting to study American history, gather up a good collection short works like these and go through them in chronological order.
One of the things I most appreciate about these guides, especially in this work, is that the last section explains the author's credentials in the subject area.
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