The Cost of Weakness
Following the Revolutionary War, the cash-strapped Confederation government sold this vessel, which was the last remaining ship of the Continental Navy.
What is the Alliance?
At age 25, this man became the youngest Captain in U.S. Navy history after a daring raid in Tripoli harbor.
Who is Stephen Decatur Jr.?
This First Lieutenant led a 600-mile desert march from Alexandria to capture an enemy fortress.
Who is Presley O'Bannon?
The "Original Six" frigates included the USS United States, the USS Constellation, and this famous ship nicknamed "Old Ironsides."
What is the USS Constitution?
In 1801, this U.S. President refused to pay increased tribute, prompting Tripoli to declare war.
Who is Thomas Jefferson?
By 1797, the United States was paying this fraction of its entire annual federal budget in tribute to Barbary States.
What is one-fifth (or 20%)?
This seaman saved Stephen Decatur’s life by using his own head to intercept a sword blow during a boarding action.
Who is Reuben James?
The American flag was raised over foreign soil for the first time in history after the capture of this North African city.
What is Derna?
To prevent the enemy from using a captured American frigate as a "prize," Stephen Decatur boarded the ship and did this to it.
What is set it on fire (or destroyed it)?
The 1805 treaty ending the war with Tripoli required the U.S. to pay this amount as a final ransom for the Philadelphia crew.
What is $60,000?
These royal decrees were issued by Great Britain to restrict American trade and keep U.S. merchants out of the West Indies.
What are the Orders in Council?
This U.S. frigate ran aground on an uncharted reef in 1803, leading to the capture of its entire crew by Tripolitan forces.
What is the USS Philadelphia?
O'Bannon’s desert force was composed of seven Marines and 400 mercenaries from these two ethnic/national groups.
Who are Greeks and Arabs?
This 12-gun vessel, commanded by Andrew Sterrett, achieved a victory in 1801 with 50 enemy casualties and zero American wounds.
What is the USS Enterprise?
This 1794 treaty resolved grievances between the U.S. and Britain but enraged the French, leading to the Quasi-War.
What is Jay’s Treaty?
This 1794 piece of legislation authorized the construction of the "Original Six" frigates to combat maritime threats.
What is the Navy Act of 1794?
This first Secretary of the Navy was appointed on April 30, 1798, during the undeclared Quasi-War with France.
Who is Benjamin Stoddert?
This former consul led the overland expedition to topple the Pasha of Tripoli.
Who is William Eaton?
In 1815, Stephen Decatur’s flagship, the Guerriere, defeated this 46-gun Algerian flagship.
What is the Mashuda?
Under the 1815 treaty with Algiers, the Dey was forced to pay the U.S. this amount in compensation for stolen property.
What is $10,000?
This specific political event, involving French bribe demands, led to the rallying cry: "Millions for defense, but not one cent for tribute!"
What is the XYZ Affair?
During an August 1801 engagement, this Lieutenant lured an enemy ship close by flying British colors and then unleashed a devastating onslaught.
Who is Andrew Sterrett?
This item, still part of Marine Corps tradition, was presented to O’Bannon by Hamet Karamanli in appreciation for his support.
What is the Mameluke sword?
This "floating volcano" was used in a tragic, premature explosion intended to destroy the enemy fleet in Tripoli.
What is the USS Intrepid?
This celebrated Algerian commander was killed by a broadside from Decatur’s flagship in 1815.
Who is Admiral Riz Hamidu?