American-Algerian War

In this episode, we explore the American-Algerian War, a decade-long maritime conflict that began in 1785 when the newly independent United States lost British naval protection and became vulnerable to Barbary corsairs. We examine how the Regency of Algiers targeted American merchant ships, leading to the capture and enslavement of over one hundred sailors, and why early diplomatic efforts failed due to the young nation’s limited financial and military resources. The discussion highlights how this crisis pushed Congress to establish a permanent United States Navy to safeguard commercial interests, and how the 1795 treaty—marked by tribute payments and the release of surviving captives—set lasting precedents for U.S. foreign policy and maritime sovereignty in the Mediterranean.