Let's not forget the pirates of Barbary and how they ended

Submitted by Manny (Canada), Sep 26, 2008 at 12:20

In the 18th century, pirates from Algiers, the Barbary pirates, terrorized ships and populations from most European contries and the US. More than 20,000 European captives were said to be imprisoned in Algiers alone. The rich were allowed to redeem themselves, but the poor were condemned to slavery. For decades, Western countries bribed their boss, the Dey of Algiers, with huge amounts, but the peace they bought was temporary, dependent on more money. Payments in ransom and tribute to the Barbary states amounted to 20% of United States government annual revenues in 1800.

The US initiated the resolution of the problem. The newly formed US Navy attacked them during the two Barbary wars (1801 and 1815), the Brits and the Dutch bombarded Algiers, the French occupied that city. Finally, piracy ended.

You will find more details in the Wikipedia article "Barbary pirate". Do US school children learn about this?

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