Freedom of the Seas

One of the underrated contributions the United States has made to mankind is the principle of Freedom of the Seas, the tenet that private vessels must be allowed to sail freely on the high seas. Before internationally-recognized territorial limits, commerce was hindered by piracy and by states that sought tribute in exchange for safe passage. Tributes are like an involuntary toll for the privilege of sailing in international waters.

Americans recognized that commerce was in their essential interest, especially trade with Europe. But the Barbary Pirates of North Africa were particularly problematic for the Americans who had to sail past the waters they controlled in order to enter the Mediterranean Sea. The United Sates Navy defeated the Barbary Pirates by the early 1800s, which eliminated the necessity of tribute for any ship to sail to and from the Mediterranean. The Americans upheld the freedom of merchantmen to sail on the high seas in opposing the British and French practice during the Napoleonic Wars of impressing of American crewmen, culminating in the American victory over the British in the War of 1812.

As a result, acts of piracy against American ships had never occured since the early 19th Century until the recent seizure of an American freighter, the Maersk Alabama, by Somali pirates. The Mayaguez in 1976 was the only other merchant vessel seized during that time, but it was taken not by pirates, but by the Communist Khmer Rouge. Although piracy has continued into the modern era, it has long been recognized internationally as a scourge, and pirates have been treated like spies or terrorists, as having forfeited their rights. Indeed, the Freedom of the Seas was one of the Fourteen Principles of President Woodrow Wilson in promoting peace after the First World War.

Freedom of the Seas is something most Americans, as well as many people around the world, probably have taken for granted -- until now. But they should appreciate better that it was something that had to be fought for. Freedom of the Seas has allowed much greater global commerce, which has improved the quality of lives of billions of people around the world, thanks to the United States of America. The U.S. is once again called upon to defend this American principle. May she be successful.