Fighting For The Freedom Of Seas: Re-examining The Motivation Of Three Wars In Early American History

The freedom of seas has been one of the early diplom atic principles at the beginning of the founding of the United States. Originally, the principle was expressed in the Treaty Plan of 1776, and reflected on the diplomatic activities that defended the neutral rights—the rights of trade freedom and freedom of navigation on the hi gh seas. In order to defend the principle of the freedom of seas and interests, the United States carried on a series of diplomatic activities. And when diplomacy couldn’t defend these rights, it appealed to arms, which was the origin of Quasi-war with France, the W ar of 1812 a nd Barbary Wars. Specifically, Quasi-war with France resulted from France ignores the treaty of alliance of 1778 and American neutrality, and captured Am erican merchant ships delibe rately. British conscr ipting the A merican merchant seamen and a serial of acts which damaged to the neutral rights of the United States caused the War of 1812. Barbary Wars in 1805 and 1815 arose from that Barbary powers of Mediterranean captured American merchant ships deliberately, detained American crew for ransom and tribute. All behaviors of France, Great Britain and Barbary powers had caused great damage to the rights and interests of th e freedom of seas, and when politics can’t solve the conflict with each other, the United States defended their own rights and interests in the form of the war resolutely.There are relations and differences between the three wars. France, Great Britain and Barbary powers affect the progress of the othe r two wars respectively. Taking the freedom of seas as the s tarting point and ending point, we can conclude th at the motivation of the three wars all is to defend the freedom of seas and interests. And war measures indeed achieve the purpose of protecting A merican marine rights and interests. The three wars not only are the powerful practice of Am erican early diplomatic principles of the freedom of seas, but also provide strength guarantee and experience referen ce for the United States to be a big country of ocean.