Background
After the First Barbary War (1801–1805), the U.S. found its attention diverted to its worsening relationship with Great Britain over trade with France, which culminated in the War of 1812. The Barbary pirate states took this opportunity to return to their practice of attacking American, as well as European merchant vessels in the Mediterranean Sea and holding their crews and officers for ransom.
At the same time, the major European powers were still involved in the Napoleonic Wars which did not fully end until 1815.
Read more about this topic: Second Barbary War
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