I would argue that this was our first war on terrorism. The Tripolitan or Barbary Coast Wars were fought along the coast of North Africa. At the time, the Ottoman Empire ruled the region, but since their control of the area was only nominal, administration actually went to pirates who financed their largely independent governments by plunder and ransom payments. European powers by the late 1700's managed to pay off the pirates to ensure safe passage of their cargo ships through the Mediterranean. In the 1780's, the Americans entered the trade game with independence. The US initially allocated money to pay off the pirates of North Africa. In 1785, an American cargo ship was taken hostage in Algeria; some like Thomas Jefferson argued that we shouldn't pay the ransom, for that would only encourage more terrorist attacks. He viewed those governments as unlawful, and correctly so. However, early on the US didn't want to exercise so much power abroad, mainly out of uncertainty that they would be able to get an effective fighting force together. It wasn't until Jefferson became President in 1801 that we managed to end the tribute payments and take on the pirates directly. The rulers of Morocco, Algeria, and Libya all responded by declaring war on the US. Jefferson sent the Navy to defend American interests. We sent our best frigates over there and were very successful at blockading various North African ports. We attempted to attack the port of Tripoli, but we weren't able to fully control the city. This was done in reaction to Tripoli's fleet taking hostage the entire crew of the battleship Philadelphia. Eventually we managed to invade Libya in the Battle of Derma, which was a major turning point in the conflict. It took about four years, but the North African states grew tired of American raids and they signed an agreement ending the war in 1805. Actually, this war didn't stop the Barbary pirates from collecting tribute from the Americans. Indeed, as part of the peace deal, we had to pay ransom to get sailors who were captured in Algeria out. In many ways it was successful however. This war proved to the world that the US was able to execute a war from far away and that our forces were cohesive enough to fight for one country as opposed to the individual states. The Marines were brought to the forefront with this war. We actually ended up fighting in another Barbary War in 1815. How did the US end their conflict this time around. They used the pirates tactics against them. They took their people hostage and demanded payment for them everytime they attacked US vessels. The pirates were forced to sign a peace agreement that included an end to taking tribute and $10,000 worth in reparation payments for damages incurred during the war. It wasn't until the British fleet arrived in Algeria and bombed their capital that the pirates actually enforced their agreement. What does this tell us? This isn't the first war on terrorism that we've fought in the past. Many will say that this war we're in now in the 21st Century is without precedent, but history is replete with other wars against terrorism. Ultimately, these tactics have to be confronted directly if you want to win this type of war, which can be long and at times grueling.

I like this one because it is part of my song. To the shores of Tripoli is a cool line. Semper Fi!