Tripoli

[Louis XXIV]

Tonight on the history channel is the US conflict with Tripoli. It should be interesting to watch, because its probably more "forgotten" than the war of 1812. Interestingly, a lot of US sailors gained combat experience during this time, so, when facing Great Britain in 1812, actually knew what they were doing.

 

[bigmeat]

ya, to the shores of tripoli! it was the first time a US flag was ever raised on foreign soil, it is amazing how successful the war was

 

[blindside]

I thought the Morocon pirates were succesful, not the US.

 

[Bugfatty300]

I thought the Morocon pirates were succesful, not the US.

The first Barbary War was a draw since the U.S. became involved in a war against Britain. In 1815 as soon as the war ended, the USN was sent back to the coast of North Africa. The Barbary States admitted defeat when the U.S. attacked and captured Algiers. The Barbary States were forced to pay reparations to the U.S. for lost shipping and agreed to not stop or hinder American shipping.

 

[Riesstiu IV]

I thought it had more to do with stopping the white slave trade?

 

[Adso de Fimnu]

The first Barbary War was a draw since the U.S. became involved in a war against Britain. In 1815 as soon as the war ended, the USN was sent back to the coast of North Africa. The Barbary States admitted defeat when the U.S. attacked and captured Algiers. The Barbary States were forced to pay reparations to the U.S. for lost shipping and agreed to not stop or hinder American shipping.

The Show (last night it was, now) was just about the attack on Tripoli (Derne, to be specific). That happened in 1805. I wonder why that wasn't considered the "Barbary Conflict", or something. Anyway, it seems we lost: some diplomat made a deal to pay the pirates for the release of 300 prisoners, even though we had just captured Tripoli's second-largest city.

 

[GrandAdmiral]

The Show (last night it was, now) was just about the attack on Tripoli (Derne, to be specific). That happened in 1805. I wonder why that wasn't considered the "Barbary Conflict", or something. Anyway, it seems we lost: some diplomat made a deal to pay the pirates for the release of 300 prisoners, even though we had just captured Tripoli's second-largest city.

The point of the war was to end tribute for travel throught the Mediteranean then to get back the US hostages without having to pay the recurring tribute for shipping. Without the naval superiority, bombardment and invasion by US wouldn't have been able to buy back the hostages and they would have had to agree to pay ongoing tribute. So they did win. The battle itself was also a victory.

 

[YotoKiller]

It was an awesome documentary with some good cinematic scenes and dialogue as well.

I love the portrayal of the American diplomat turned General (the original Lawrence of Arabia ) who led his Arab army and a few good marines across the Sahara and even after facing and avoiding disaster after disaster he assaulted the city of Derne and took it even being outnumbered 10 to 1. A great story that unfortunately is only widely known among US Marines and not average Americans.

 

[silver 2039]

America had he coabalities to do that in the 1800's? I'm suprised I thought only sometime in 1900' they got the capablities.

 

[YotoKiller]

America had he coabalities to do that in the 1800's? I'm suprised I thought only sometime in 1900' they got the capablities.

No, it didn't. But it was done anyway. America also could not afford the lost money from North African pirates or their costly tributes.

America didn't have any capabilities to fight the British superpower around the same time but America did it anyway and came out on top.

 

[bigmeat]

No, it didn't. But it was done anyway. America also could not afford the lost money from North African pirates or their costly tributes.

America didn't have any capabilities to fight the British superpower around the same time but America did it anyway and came out on top.

i wouldn't say on top, it was more of a draw

 

[YotoKiller]

i wouldn't say on top, it was more of a draw

The War of 1812 was a military draw on some scale, even though the US inflicted some great victories as well as defeats.

Both these wars were extremely important for insuring American sovreignty on North America and the high seas.

 

[~Corsair#01~]

Ah yes, personally I was rooting for the corsairs to win...

 

[Louis XXIV]

During this time, America had the second largest merchant fleet, and (especially in the northern states) needed the revenue that was lost to Piracy.

 

[bigmeat]

wow! second, that is especially amazing considering the population

 

[Louis XXIV]

It really brings an interesting comparison to the Brittish Navy in 1812, which, stretched across the continent was poorly manned, and, without impressment of sailors, had no hope to man its fleet (The US, on the other hand, was well-manned, and, like I said earlier, experienced from the campaigns in Tripoli).