230 Years of Algerian–American Friendship: From the Treaty of Peace to a Strategic Partnership
✍️ BY: Dzair Tube
Algiers – September 2025 – On Friday, September 5, 2025, Algeria and the United States commemorate the 230th anniversary of the Treaty of Peace and Friendship, signed on September 5, 1795, between Hassan Pacha, Dey of Algiers and U.S. President George Washington. This accord made Algeria the very first nation to recognize the fledgling American republic, laying the foundations for a bilateral relationship anchored in mutual respect and sovereignty. The anniversary offers a moment to revisit the historical circumstances that led to the treaty and to reflect on the trajectory of Algerian–American relations from the late eighteenth century to the present day.
The Geopolitical Context: The Mediterranean as a Theatre of Power
By the late eighteenth century, the United States, having freshly emerged from its War of Independence, was a young nation seeking to assert itself on the world stage and secure a foothold in global maritime commerce. Across the Atlantic, Algiers stood as a formidable naval power in the Mediterranean, exerting significant control over key shipping routes and shaping the security of maritime trade in the region.
American vessels, vulnerable to the complexities of Mediterranean politics and maritime threats, found themselves repeatedly imperiled. Recognizing Algeria’s pivotal role, Washington’s administration pursued direct negotiations. The outcome was the Treaty of Peace and Friendship, signed on September 5, 1795, which guaranteed freedom of navigation for U.S. ships in Algerian waters in exchange for financial and diplomatic commitments, while simultaneously safeguarding Algerian interests by prohibiting the sale of Algerian ships to enemies of the United States.
A Visionary Treaty with Lasting Principles
The treaty enshrined principles of sovereignty, non-aggression, and the protection of mutual commercial interests. It represented not merely a pragmatic maritime accord but also a symbolic recognition by the United States of Algeria’s weight as a Mediterranean power. Conversely, for Algeria, it cemented the image of the United States as a partner inclined toward cooperation rather than confrontation.
The centuries that followed witnessed a complex evolution in bilateral ties. Algeria’s recognition of U.S. independence in the 18th century was later reciprocated, albeit indirectly, during Algeria’s own struggle for independence, when voices in Washington pressed for decolonization and justice. With independence in 1962, a new chapter of relations began, one that would soon broaden into multifaceted cooperation in energy, education, and security.
A Partnership Reinforced by Shared Values
In the modern era, the relationship has been significantly deepened. Algeria has emerged as a reliable supplier of natural gas to global markets, while the United States has engaged with Algeria in counter-terrorism efforts across the Sahel, where both nations share concerns over transnational threats. Academic and cultural exchanges have further enriched people-to-people connections, fostering dialogue and mutual understanding across generations.
At its core, however, the relationship has remained bound by a shared set of values: the defense of liberty, the principle of self-determination, and the respect for national sovereignty. These same ideals, articulated in the treaty of 1795, still resonate today, echoing in both countries’ commitment to peaceful conflict resolution and their advocacy for peoples’ right to chart their own destinies.
Historical Legacy as a Foundation for Strategic Partnership
American diplomatic missions often evoke the Treaty of 1795 as a testament to the depth of Algerian–American relations. In statements marking Algeria’s independence anniversaries, the U.S. Embassy in Algiers has repeatedly highlighted Algeria’s distinction as the first nation to formalize peace and friendship with Washington. U.S. officials have emphasized that this historical legacy remains a source of inspiration in building a forward-looking strategic partnership. “Our ties are built upon more than two centuries of shared history,” one official recently noted, “and they project into centuries yet to come.”
From 1795 to 2025: A Relationship Forged in History, Oriented Toward the Future
The commemoration of the 230th anniversary of the treaty is not only a celebration of the past but also an invitation to envision the future. Global challenges such as the energy transition, food security, and regional stability call for innovative cooperation between Algiers and Washington. The resilience of their relationship positions them well to craft joint responses in an era of uncertainty.
From that September day in 1795, when the Mediterranean world and the nascent United States converged in an unprecedented accord, to September 2025, as the two nations mark 230 years of unbroken friendship, the thread of history has remained strong and unyielding. It is a bond not born of chance or expediency, but of deliberate vision and enduring respect. In a world searching for constants amidst turbulence, the Algerian–American Treaty of Peace and Friendship endures as both a historical landmark and a living framework, binding two nations in a partnership that bridges the past with the promise of the future.
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