Thomas Jefferson and the Tripoli Pirates: The Forgotten War That Changed American History

The challenges we face today are not so different from Jeffersons, and weve much to learn from his boldness and from the courage of the marines and sailors who died to protect their country. —Brian KilmeadeThis is the little-known story of how a newly independent nation was challenged by four Muslim powers and what happened when Americas third president decided to stand up to intimidation.When Thomas Jefferson became president in 1801, America faced a crisis. The new nation was deeply in debt and needed its economy to grow quickly, but its merchant ships were under attack. Pirates from North Africas Barbary coast routinely captured American sailors and held them as slaves, demanding ransom and tribute payments far beyond what the new country could afford.