USA HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -Typically, a Barbary peace treaty required a nation to pay “tribute” to the pirate ruler, who would then call off attacks on the nation’s ships. Tribute usually took the form of a large payment of money plus annual payments. The annual payments might be cash, military supplies, or expensive presents for the ruler.

Detailed explanation-2: -The diplomats agreed to pay ransom for 89 American sailors (some of which had been held for 11 years) and a yearly tribute amounting to about 16 percent of the entire appropriated U.S. budget.

Detailed explanation-3: -The United States had signed treaties with all of the Barbary states after its independence was recognized between 1786–1794 to pay tribute in exchange for leaving American merchantmen alone, and by 1797, the United States had paid out $1.25 million or a fifth of the government’s annual budget then in tribute.

Detailed explanation-4: -President Thomas Jefferson took office in 1801. Jefferson, who believed that paying off the pirates only led to more demands, announced that there would be no more tributes paid. Tripoli demanded a payment of $225, 000 on top of annual payments of $25, 000. Jefferson refused to pay, and Tripoli declared war on the US.