America's War Against Pirates

America's War Against Pirates

Author: History Hit May 21, 2026 Duration: 53:33

Just twenty years after independence, the United States fought a lesser-known war against the Barbary States of North Africa... some use the term 'Corsairs', others referred to them as 'Pirates'. But why was America there? How was diplomacy conducted during this time? And how did these conflicts help transform a fragile republic into an emerging naval power?


Our guest today is Dr. Abby Mullen, professor at the United States Naval Academy. Her work includes hosting the ‘Consolation Prize’ podcast, and her book ‘To Fix a National Character: The United States in the First Barbary War, 1800–1805’, which won the ‘John R. Lyman Book Award’ in 2024.


All opinions expressed here are Abby's, and not those of the US Naval Academy, US Department of Defense or the US Government.


Edited by Tim Arstall. Produced by Tomos Delargy. Senior Producer was Freddy Chick.


Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe.  


All music from Epidemic Sounds.


American History Hit is a History Hit podcast.


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.


Tune in twice a week as host Don Wildman digs into the stories that shaped a nation. American History Hit moves beyond textbook dates to explore the people, conflicts, and surprising events that define the American experience. Each episode is a deep dive into a different moment, whether it's the tense war preparations of Chief Powhatan, the clandestine work of codebreakers at Midway, or even the unexpected political accusations hurled by Walt Disney. You'll find that the past is never truly buried, as the series also uncovers the hidden layers beneath landmarks like New York's Central Park. This isn't just a chronicle of what happened; it's an investigation into how these echoes from pre-colonial times onward continue to resonate today. For anyone curious about the complex tapestry of the United States, this podcast from History Hit serves as an engaging and thoughtful guide, turning historical inquiry into a compelling narrative journey.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

American History Hit
Podcast Episodes
The Texas Rangers | The Frontier [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:21
We've all heard of the Texas Rangers: an undoubted icon of the American West.In this week’s instalment of our Frontier series, we’ll be exploring the history of lawmen famed for riding across a violent and uncertain land…
The Battle of Fredericksburg [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:48
This is the largest battle, by number of combatants, of the entire Civil War. But why? What was the federal objective at Fredericksburg? And how did it all go so wrong for Burnside and his troops?Don is joined to explore…
Murder on the California Trail | The Frontier [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:29
The words 'Donner Party' have become synonymous with disaster in the American imagination. In this week’s instalment of our Frontier miniseries, we’ll be exploring how this group of pioneers' journey across the Old West…
America's Bloodiest Day: Battle of Antietam [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:22
It's known as the deadliest single day in American history: the Battle of Antietam.After weeks of Union defeats, Confederate forces pushed north into Maryland and carried the war onto Northern soil for the first time. Ne…
How Wild Was the Wild West? | The Frontier [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:04
Heroic cowboys on horseback. Bands of outlaws. Brawls in small town saloons.This is the Wild West as popular culture remembers it. But was it really as “wild” as we’ve been led to believe? Did the violence of the frontie…
What Did FDR Get Wrong? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:56
Franklin D Roosevelt is consistently considered one of the United States' best Presidents. Elected four times, he oversaw the end of the Great Depression and victory in the Second World War.But was all of this actually h…
Life and Death on the Oregon Trail | The Frontier [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:30
In the first instalment of our Frontier miniseries, we explore one of the most iconic symbols in American history: the Oregon Trail. For decades, thousands of Americans packed their lives into wooden wagons and set out f…
The Making of Malcolm X [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:19
Known by the end of his life as El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz, the Black Nationalist leader best known as Malcolm X died at just 39. Despite his short life, however, his legacy continues to this day.Don is joined by Clarence…
Darkest Hours: Origins of Slavery [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:37
The Origins of Slavery in America, from its early colonial history to its expansion after the Revolutionary war, is the darkest chapter of American history. In this episode, we'll explore how European colonists first bro…
Rodeo: An All American History? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:47
Roughstock, roping and risk - the sport and spectacle of rodeo has become one of the most iconic American pastimes over the last couple of centuries. But where did it begin and how has it changed over time?Don is joined…