Ottoman Algeria in Western Diplomatic History with ... - Bibliothèque

United States entered into Mediterranean trade it was also perceived as a
Christian enemy and corsairing practices affected its merchant shipping even
though other factors were at play then.
Meanwhile, with the extension of Ottoman rule to Algiers in 1519, the
latter obtained military assistance which permitted it to set the foundations of a
navy. During the 16 th
century, Algiers gained experience and skill in the
crucible of squadron warfare and crusading attacks. Its budding navy gained in
strength and daring men with strong faith, discipline, and courage made it a
match for European fleets. Maritime supremacy permitted Algiers to contain
Christian attacks and regain control of ports previously lost to Spain. So long as
Algiers maintained maritime control over its shores, Christian attacks were
thwarted. After the resounding defeat of its armada in 1541, Spanish attacks
vanished and Algiers could enjoy the sobriquet of the ‘invincible city’ but not
for long. The battle of Lepanto (1571) and political upheavals at Algiers ended
Ottoman naval presence in the western Mediterranean and Algiers had to face
alone other rising maritime powers but that had to wait for a while.
Researched material has permitted this study to state with some certainty
that Algerian corsairing took its true meaning, that is to say chasing enemy
merchant vessels on the high seas, at the close of squadron warfare. From late
16 th century up to the mid-17 th century or so, Algiers was unbeatable in that
form of warfare. Not only did Algerian corsairs gain supremacy on the high
seas but the renegades who joined the Algerian fleet during that period, mainly
Dutch and English, took corsairing to their homelands and even further which
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