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 secure American access to gold in the region
B.
to make Tripoli sell slaves to the United States
C.
to protect American merchant ships from pirates
D.
to force Tripoli to pay tribute to the United States

Answer 1

C. to protect American merchant ships from pirates

Jefferson sent the Navy and Marines in the First Barbary War to stop Barbary pirate attacks on U.S. merchant shipping and to resist the demands for tribute by Tripoli.