The First Barbary War, which took place between 1801 and 1805, was the first of two wars fought between the United States and Tripoli. The reason for the war was that Tripoli exercised extortion against all maritime nations in its waters. There were agreements between the North African power and the European states that they would pay tribute for their merchant vessels not to be attacked and put the sailors into slavery pending ransom.
The newly formed United States lacked an agreement with the African nation, which meant that many Americans were captured in the 1790s and that more than one ransom was demanded. Despite negotiations, the conflict with Tripoli in present-day Libya became acute in 1801 when the Passover of Tripoli demanded $225,000 in tribute. The United States refused to pay, resulting in Tripoli declaring war on the United States.
The first clash was a naval strike on August 1, 1801 when the US ship USS Enterprise defeated a Tripolitan ship. Sweden, which was also subject to extortion, stood on the US side, but made peace on unfavorable terms the following year. The United States had less success in the war in the following years. It was not until the beginning of 1805 that the war turned to the advantage of the United States. Eight navy soldiers and about 500 mercenaries from various Mediterranean countries conducted a successful desert march from Egypt and conquered Derna. On June 4, 1805, peace was finally reached. Both sides released their prisoners and the United States paid $ 60,000 in ransom.
Despite this peace, the conflict between the United States and Tripoli did not end. More casualties occurred during the following years, which culminated in the Second Barbary War starting in 1815.
