What was America's first terrorist threat?

Josh and Chuck dive into America's forgotten first war on terror - the Barbary Wars of the early 1800s! They explore how North African pirates terrorized Mediterranean shipping lanes, extorting massive tribute payments from European nations and the fledgling United States. The hosts reveal how these seafaring extortionists forced America to budget millions annually just to avoid having their ships plundered and crews enslaved, ultimately spurring the creation of the U.S. Navy and leading to some epic naval battles that would inspire the Marine Corps hymn.