America’s Second War of Independence: The Barbary Pirate Wars and Their Effect Upon American Geopolitical Power

Abstract

The Barbary War seems like a perfect Hollywood movie, complete with pitched naval battles, marine landings, and gallant charges against the enemy. The conflict is also referred to as the First Tripolitan War, the conflict spanned the years of 1801 to 1805. This war marked the first time that American military power was projected across the world. This paper explores how the economic rationales of the war eventually led to the development of the nascent American Navy. The war marked the beginning of America's long history of overseas power projection - and without it - then nation would have lacked an experienced and battle-hardened naval force. It also gave Americans early heroes, such as Stephen Decatur and Richard Somers, and helped fashion a true national identity. Without the Barbary wars, America may have never broken out of its shell of isolation and begun its long path to a place of dominance in world affairs.