"The Fewer the Men, The Greater the Honor": The Naval Doctrine of Republicanism in the First Barbary War

Abstract

The First Barbary War was a naval conflict fought between the United States and Tripoli from 1801-1805 over the payment of “tribute” to Tripoli so they would not seize American merchant ships. The Jefferson Administration believed that the war would not take more than a few months but it ended up lasting a desultory four years. There were two main theoretical concepts that impacted the war – the idea of the proper role and size of a republican military power and the internal struggle of the U.S. Navy for professionalism and leadership. These two concepts influenced the development of the naval doctrine of republicanism for the U.S. Navy which can be characterized by limited size, firm, yet humane leadership, and aggressiveness toward the enemy. This doctrine is best exemplified by Commodore Edward Preble’s who had a great impact on the young naval officers who fought under him and who would come to lead the U.S. Navy for years afterwards