Moroccan seizure of the Betsey facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Moroccan seizure of the Betsey |
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 Morocco |
 United States |
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| Unknown | 1 ship captured | ||||||
The Moroccan capture of the Betsey was an event where a ship from the United States was taken by Moroccan forces. This happened on October 11, 1784. The ship, named the Betsey, was a merchant vessel from Philadelphia. The Sultan of Morocco, Mohammed ben Abdallah, ordered the capture. This was because the U.S. government had been slow to sign a peace treaty. The ship and its crew were held in Tangier until July 9, 1785.
Why the Betsey Was Captured
On December 20, 1777, Morocco became the first country to officially recognize the United States as an independent nation. This was only about a year and a half after the U.S. declared its freedom.
The Moroccan Sultan, Mohammed ben Abdallah, wanted to be friends with the new American nation. He sent messages to American leaders like Benjamin Franklin in Paris. However, the American government, called Congress, did not act quickly. They took a long time to respond to the Sultan's offers for a treaty.
Because of these delays, the Sultan decided to get the attention of the American leaders. In the fall of 1784, he ordered his navy to take action.
The Capture of the Ship
Since the American government kept delaying a treaty, Sultan Sidi Mohammed gave an order. He told his forces to capture an American ship.
On October 11, 1784, Moroccan forces captured the Betsey. This ship was a merchant vessel from Philadelphia. It was sailing from Cádiz, Spain, back to the United States.
The ship and its crew were taken to Tangier and held there. The Sultan announced that he would not keep the ship or its cargo. He also said he would not enslave the crew. He promised to release everything once a treaty was made with the United States.
This capture made the Americans realize they needed to act. They began preparing for talks with Morocco. The Sultan helped create a peaceful situation for these talks. On July 9, 1785, he released the Betsey, its crew, and its cargo. This happened after Spain helped, and the U.S. paid a ransom of $30,000. The capture of the Betsey worried many people across Europe.
What Happened Next
The capture of the Betsey led to important negotiations. The Moroccan–American Treaty of Friendship was signed on June 28, 1786. This treaty is also known as the Treaty of Marrakesh.
It was a very important agreement. It was the first treaty the United States signed with any Muslim, Arab, or African country.
