Answer to Question #244055 in History for ally

Question

Although Thomas Jefferson often expressed fear over executive power and a standing army, as President of the United States he did deploy U.S. military power overseas with the U.S. Navy and the first overseas use of the U.S. Marines. What led President Jefferson to send in the Marines, and how effective was this first use of U.S. military power overseas?

Answer 1

Pirates from the Barbary States kidnapped American trade ships and held the crews for ransom, demanding that the United States pay homage to the Barbary rulers. President Thomas Jefferson of the United States declined to pay this homage. The war was finally brought to an end by a strong American naval blockade and an overland campaign from Egypt, which resulted in a favorable treaty of peace (June 4, 1805). Despite being severely chastened, the other Barbary monarchs continued to receive tribute until 1816.