Gunboats and Empires: The Roots of Naval Policy in Early U.S. History

Gunboats and Empires reveals how Thomas Jefferson's naval strategy-favoring small, fast gunboats over a traditional ocean-going fleet-was influenced by Enlightenment ideals and a selective interpretation of European military history. In the years before the War of 1812, Jefferson and his allies looked to the Russo-Turkish War, and especially the 1788 battle of the Liman, as validation of his belief in smallcraft tactics, despite the battle's contested interpretations and its limited relevance to the American context. Drawing on letters, newspapers, and official records, the book reveals how Jefferson's strategic vision was shaped not only by military reality but his own political and ideological convictions. This is a story of how leaders use history to confirm their beliefs, a compelling case study of the ways preconceptions and political agendas can influence strategic decision-making-offering lessons that resonate well beyond the early republic. AUTHOR: Boris Karpa is a historian specializing in early 19th-century military history and U.S.-Russian relations. He holds a PhD in history from Tel Aviv University, where his research focused on the ideological and strategic influences shaping early American naval policy. His work explores how political perception and foreign military models-particularly those of Russia and Britain-affected the formation of Jeffersonian strategy. Beyond academia, Karpa has published articles on military history, diplomacy, and strategic thought. His expertise combines archival research with accessible storytelling, making complex historical debates engaging for both scholars and general readers. He currently resides in Batumi, Georgia, where he continues researching and writing on military history.