Question
Shortly after becoming president, Thomas Jefferson ordered the U.S. Navy and Marines to attack the North African state of Tripoli. Why did he take this action?
A.
to make Tripoli sell slaves to the United States
B.
to protect American merchant ships from pirates
C.
to force Tripoli to pay tribute to the United States
D.
to secure American access to gold in the region
A.
to make Tripoli sell slaves to the United States
B.
to protect American merchant ships from pirates
C.
to force Tripoli to pay tribute to the United States
D.
to secure American access to gold in the region
Answers
GPT-4o mini
B. to protect American merchant ships from pirates
Thomas Jefferson took action against Tripoli primarily to protect American merchant ships from Barbary pirates, who were notorious for attacking ships and demanding tribute from nations in exchange for safe passage.
Thomas Jefferson took action against Tripoli primarily to protect American merchant ships from Barbary pirates, who were notorious for attacking ships and demanding tribute from nations in exchange for safe passage.