Kavon Bastian
HIS 112-02: Term Paper
Connections: Piracy, Slavery, and The Bahamas
Piracy, the swashbuckling shipmates of old. There are many accounts of piracy; some from merchant sources, others from the nations themselves. But one thing stands tall: Piracy had an effect on The Bahamas (and the wider Caribbean as well). In this paper, I attempt to explore the connections between piracy and The Bahamas - whether they be economical, social or political.
The Beginnings of Atlantic Piracy:
Piracy existed since the rediscovery of the Bahamas (and the wider Atlantic) in the 1490s. The Treaty of Tordesillas, signed on June 7th 1494, divided the New World into two halves. One side belonged to the Portuguese and the other side to the Spaniards (at …show more content…
This "Republic" was a semi-state entity, that had its own rules and laws. Pirates ruled this area, and it brought economic and social development to the nation. It lasted between the years of 1706 to 1718, and the activities of the pirates created havoc and disorder among the Caribbean Region. The start of the era of piracy in Nassau began in the year 1696 when Henry Every brought The Fancy into Nassau's ports. Nicolas Trott, the governor at the time, was bribed by Mr. Every with gold, silver and elephant tusks. The governors that followed Trott "suppressed piracy" by making token attacks against piracy. The effects of piracy began to become more clear and pirates were becoming more powerful in the economic sense as well. Politically, the pirates ruled the country. At the helm, pirate commodores such as Benjamin Hornigold ruled the area. A report from Bermuda claimed that over 1000 pirates inhibited the area. Edward Teach later assumed the position of "Magistrate" of the Republic before his …show more content…
This is one of the most romanticized eras of piracy, as this was a time of relative peace and stability in Europe. The pirates were truly considered outlaws at this time, as well as privateering being in decline, leading to a surge of pirates in Caribbean waters.
Bartholomew Roberts (The most successful pirate in History) states that:
"In an honest service there is thin commons, low wages, and hard labor; in this, plenty and satiety, pleasure and ease, liberty and power; and who would not balance creditor on this side, when all the hazard that is run for it, at worst, is only a sour look or two at choking. No, a merry life and a short one, shall be my motto."
These are the conditions that led to the continuance of piracy and mutiny aboard merchant and slave ships. They were not scared of the execution they faced; thus, pirates laughed at death and lived a short and joyous life...
Conclusion:
Piracy had many effects on the Bahamas. It brought British attention to the Bahama Islands, leading to Woodes Rogers becoming Royal Governor in 1718 and led to the improvements of our Forts, Roads, and other infrastructure. Pirates often protected their prized ports (Port Royale, Port Nassau) because it provided them with income. It led to the protection of our waters from threats. All in all, Piracy provided numerous benefits to the Bahamas and the Wider
HIS 112-02: Term Paper
Connections: Piracy, Slavery, and The Bahamas
Piracy, the swashbuckling shipmates of old. There are many accounts of piracy; some from merchant sources, others from the nations themselves. But one thing stands tall: Piracy had an effect on The Bahamas (and the wider Caribbean as well). In this paper, I attempt to explore the connections between piracy and The Bahamas - whether they be economical, social or political.
The Beginnings of Atlantic Piracy:
Piracy existed since the rediscovery of the Bahamas (and the wider Atlantic) in the 1490s. The Treaty of Tordesillas, signed on June 7th 1494, divided the New World into two halves. One side belonged to the Portuguese and the other side to the Spaniards (at …show more content…
This "Republic" was a semi-state entity, that had its own rules and laws. Pirates ruled this area, and it brought economic and social development to the nation. It lasted between the years of 1706 to 1718, and the activities of the pirates created havoc and disorder among the Caribbean Region. The start of the era of piracy in Nassau began in the year 1696 when Henry Every brought The Fancy into Nassau's ports. Nicolas Trott, the governor at the time, was bribed by Mr. Every with gold, silver and elephant tusks. The governors that followed Trott "suppressed piracy" by making token attacks against piracy. The effects of piracy began to become more clear and pirates were becoming more powerful in the economic sense as well. Politically, the pirates ruled the country. At the helm, pirate commodores such as Benjamin Hornigold ruled the area. A report from Bermuda claimed that over 1000 pirates inhibited the area. Edward Teach later assumed the position of "Magistrate" of the Republic before his …show more content…
This is one of the most romanticized eras of piracy, as this was a time of relative peace and stability in Europe. The pirates were truly considered outlaws at this time, as well as privateering being in decline, leading to a surge of pirates in Caribbean waters.
Bartholomew Roberts (The most successful pirate in History) states that:
"In an honest service there is thin commons, low wages, and hard labor; in this, plenty and satiety, pleasure and ease, liberty and power; and who would not balance creditor on this side, when all the hazard that is run for it, at worst, is only a sour look or two at choking. No, a merry life and a short one, shall be my motto."
These are the conditions that led to the continuance of piracy and mutiny aboard merchant and slave ships. They were not scared of the execution they faced; thus, pirates laughed at death and lived a short and joyous life...
Conclusion:
Piracy had many effects on the Bahamas. It brought British attention to the Bahama Islands, leading to Woodes Rogers becoming Royal Governor in 1718 and led to the improvements of our Forts, Roads, and other infrastructure. Pirates often protected their prized ports (Port Royale, Port Nassau) because it provided them with income. It led to the protection of our waters from threats. All in all, Piracy provided numerous benefits to the Bahamas and the Wider