Though, Jefferson originally had planned for the US to have a smaller army, so that he could portray America as a peaceful country to forgo war. His plans were abandoned when US faced conflict with Pirates of the North African Barbary States. These pirates plundered and blackmailed merchant ships. The US paid millions of dollars to the pirates, in order for their ships to not be plundered. Jefferson did not believe in paying these pirates. The pasha of Tripoli was unsatisfied with the amount of money paid, therefore declaring war on the US. Jefferson rose to the challenge, and went against his pacifist beliefs and sent a navy to Tripoli. After 4 years of war, Jefferson succeeded in exerting a treaty of peace with Tripoli in 1805. The US had to pay a ransom of $60,000 for captured Americans. This was America’s first major win across seas; it shows how Jefferson can do what is best for the country, instead of what is best for him.
