How were the barbary states gaining wealth in the early 1800s?

In the early 1800s, the Barbary States, including Tripoli, Algiers, and Tunis, gained wealth primarily through piracy and the capture of merchant ships in the Mediterranean Sea. They would demand ransom for captured vessels and crews or extort "protection" payments from European and American governments to ensure safe passage for their trade ships. Additionally, the lucrative trade in slaves and goods further bolstered their economies. This practice led to significant tensions with the United States, culminating in the Barbary Wars.