Pirates and Trade Deals

As a fledgling United States began to take her place among the empires of the world, the ride had its ups and downs.

Initially all was well with Britain. With peaceful relations re-stablished after the war, our envoys concentrated on trying to make the best trade deals.

Things weren't going quite as well in the Mediterranean. Barbary pirates had long required nations to pay tribute in order to trade in the region unmolested. The newly created United States was no exception. Tribute to the tune of $1 million (1/6 of the US budget) was demanded for the release of American captives and freedom to trade.

In France, our recent ally in the Revolutionary War, the scene was looking great - they had their own Revolution! America's influence appeared to be advancing the rights of man and republican virtues around the world.

But then things took a turn for the worse...

(cue ominous music)

Quasi War and Tribute

Americans watched in dismay (or refused to believe) the violence in France as the revolution progressed. From a movement for liberty and equality, it became a bloodbath full of carnage. As governments rapidly rose and fell (sometimes under the guillotine), the national foreign policies changed just as quickly. And then - the XYZ Affair happened.

Oorah!

The Navy and Marine Corps were reinstated and proceeded to patrol the seas, provide escort for US merchant ships, and accompany US envoys around the world.

In one of their first victories, the US frigate "Constellation" captured the French navy's frigate "L'Insurgente" and incidentally trounced the frigate "La Vengeance." In fact, in all of the military engagements with France of 1798-1800, the US Navy lost only one ship, which was later recaptured from the French.

France was busy fighting a war with Britain and desperately need US merchants to supply her needs. So whaddaya know, the Quasi War was ended in 1800. Oorah, Marines!

In the war that followed, American forces blockaded, raided and defeated the Barbary fleets. Incidentally, they destroyed the Philadelphia so it could no longer be used by their enemies. In a final glorious action, Marines landed, marched 600 miles across the desert, and captured the city of Derna in 1805.

This was the first time the United States flag was raised in victory on foreign soil. Lt. Presley O'Bannon, heroically commanding in the battle, raised the flag himself.

And whaddaya know, the Barbary States decided to sign a peace treaty shortly thereafter. Oorah, Marines!

If you're wondering about the American marine cockades of this era, they continued to be the standard military black rosettes or fans instituted by George Washington. In fact, you can see those black cockades on much of the artwork of the Quasi War and the Barbary Wars.