Early 19th Century Wars, 1798–1848
The new nation of the United States of America soon became embroiled in conflicts with its former imperial masters, fighting both the French (Franco-American War) and British (War of 1812). As American settlers moved westwards, the United States soon came into conflict with Mexico over disputed territories. Texans fought for their independence in the Texas Revolution, while a decisive victory in the American-Mexican War (1846–48) gained the United States vast new territories stretching from the Mississippi delta to the Pacific Ocean.
Texans defend the Alamo mission station in this imagining of the 1836 battle by painter Percy Moran. Heavily outnumbered, the Texan defenders eventually succumbed to overwhelming odds.
Franco-American War (The Quasi-War) 1798–1800
US presidents George Washington and John Adams considered the alliance with France terminated on Louis XVI’s execution. The Directory authorized privateers to seize US ships and the US Navy engaged French warships.
■LA CROYABLE, 7 JULY 1798
USSDelaware under the command of Stephen Decatur captured this French privateer schooner of 12 guns operating off New Jersey. She became USSRetaliation, later recaptured, then taken for good by the US.
■CONSTELLATION VS.VENGEANCE, 1 FEB 1800
Secretary of War Henry Knox had urged the construction of frigates capable of outrunning what they could not outfight. One of these,Constellation, under Capt Thomas Truxtun, found French frigateVengeance about to return to France off Guadalupe.Vengeance surrendered after a fierce 12-hour battle. The escaped French ship became an American prize, but whenConstellation’s mainmast collapsed,Vengeance absconded under cover of darkness and limped back to France.
■SANTO DOMINGO RAID, MAY 1800
Toussaint L’Ouverture became LGov of French Saint-Domingue as invading British and Spanish freed and armed French slaves, after which the French abolished slavery. Using fellow freed slaves, he conquered Spanish Santo Domingo without French authorization.
■USSBOSTON VS.LE BERCEAU, 12 OCTOBER 1800
USSBoston, under Capt George Little, overhauled French shipLe Berceau, under Cdr Louis André Senes. The battle lasted until sunset, both ships damaged and losing manoeuvrability.Boston capturedLe Berceau upon making repairs.
First Barbary War 1801–05
■TRIPOLI HARBO
