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

and for over than two hundred years they remained more or less correct.
Repeatedly, treaties between Algiers and the Europeans countries were either
re-conducted or from time to time revised, which provided the basis for lasting
diplomatic principles. Those treaties regulated captures, enslaved prisoners, as
well as annual payments in naval stores and consular presents. Passports were
introduced and were guaranteed by treaties; their bearers, Muslims and
Christians alike, protected from attacks and seizures. Whenever those passports
were not produced or did not conform to provisions of treaties hostilities
ensued.
Based on that complex context in which relations between Algiers and
the European powers were set, this research work has come to the global
conclusion that Algerian corsairing definitely was not piracy; therefore Algiers
could not be tagged as a ‘pirate state.’ From this point onwards, research has
confirmed that the arguments of piracy and enslavement of Christian captives
served for westerners as an excuse for justifying aggression against Algiers.
Research also has revealed other elements which strengthened the argument of
this thesis which are mainly payments in the form of naval stores, consular
presents, enslavement of captives and ransom, and maritime control (in the
form of passports) which allowed seizure of ships and cargoes not having
passports. All these elements were incorporated in treaties between Algiers and
the European countries as shown above.
With clearly-set historical, legal, and diplomatic guiding lines in sight,
this research work proceeded to investigate the advent of the United States of
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