Barbary Coast facts for kids

The Barbary Coast, also known as the Berber Coast, was a historical name for the coastal lands of North Africa. This area was home to the Berber people. Europeans used this name from the 16th to the 19th century. It covered what is now Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, and Libya.

This part of North Africa was famous for its pirates. These pirates often attacked ships and towns along the coast. They would steal valuable goods. They also captured people from Europe, America, and sub-Saharan Africa. These captured individuals were often forced into service or held for ransom.

What Was the Barbary Coast?

The Barbary Coast was not a single country. Instead, it was a region made up of several independent states and cities. These included the cities of Algiers, Tunis, and Tripoli. They were often called the Barbary States. These states were mostly under the control of the Ottoman Empire at different times. However, they often acted on their own.

Why Was it Called "Barbary"?

The name "Barbary" comes from the Berber people. They are the native people of North Africa. Europeans used this term to describe the region. It was a common way to refer to the lands along the coast where these groups lived.

The Barbary Pirates

The Barbary pirates were a big problem for ships sailing in the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. They were also known as corsairs. These pirates were not just random criminals. Many were supported by the rulers of the Barbary States. Piracy was a way for these states to make money and show their power.

What Did the Pirates Do?

The pirates would chase down merchant ships. They would board them and take everything valuable. This included cargo, money, and even the ships themselves. They also raided coastal towns in Europe. They would capture people from these towns. These captives were then taken back to North Africa. They were often forced to work or held until a ransom was paid.

Who Was Affected?

Many countries were affected by the Barbary pirates. Ships from Spain, France, England, and the Netherlands were often targets. Later, ships from the newly formed United States also faced attacks. The pirates captured thousands of people over several centuries. This caused a lot of fear and anger in Europe and America.

Ending the Piracy

By the early 19th century, many powerful countries decided to stop the Barbary pirates. The United States Navy fought against them in the Barbary Wars. These wars took place in the early 1800s. European powers like Britain and France also sent their navies to attack the pirate strongholds.

The Decline of Piracy

These military actions weakened the Barbary States. They were forced to sign treaties. These treaties made them stop attacking ships and capturing people. The last major pirate activities ended around the 1830s. This was when France took control of Algeria. The end of Barbary piracy made sea travel much safer. It also helped trade grow in the Mediterranean.

Images for kids

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  A 17th-century map by the Dutch cartographer Jan Janssonius showing the Barbary Coast, here "Barbaria"

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  Ex-voto of a naval battle between a Turkish ship from Algiers (front) and a ship of the Order of Malta under Langon, 1719

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  Purchase of Christian captives in the Barbary States

See also

In Spanish: Berbería para niños