war of 1812 americans fight the british navy

Refusal to pay would result in the capturing of American ships and goods, and often the enslavement or ransoming of crew members.Īfter Thomas Jefferson became president of the US in March 1801, he sent a US Naval fleet to the Mediterranean to combat the Barbary pirates. By the 19th century, pirate activity had declined, but Barbary pirates continued to demand tribute from American merchant vessels in the Mediterranean. Since the 16th century, North African pirates captured ships and even raided cities across the Mediterranean Sea. The wars were largely a reaction to piracy carried out by the Barbary states. The First Barbary War extended from to 10 June 1805, with the Second Barbary War lasting only three days, ending on 19 June 1815. Sweden had been at war with the Tripolitans since 1800 and was joined by the newly independent US. The Barbary Wars were a series of two wars fought by the United States, Sweden, and the Kingdom of Sicily against the Barbary states (including Tunis, Algiers, and Tripoli) and Morocco of North Africa in the early 19th century.

War of 1812 americans fight the british navy