Pirates! Empire & Commerce in the Age of Buccaneers, Marauders & Corsairs

Terms: 1 (not offered every term)
Grades: 11, 12, PG

In all of human history, no villains have achieved such lasting fame as those who sailed the Spanish Main. At a time when Britain, France and Spain were struggling for domination of the New World, pirates ranged across the Caribbean, plundering treasure ships loaded with gold, slaves and spices. The years between 1721 and 1740 became known as the Golden Age of Piracy, and gave rise to legends which continue to fascinate us today. Pirates came from all levels of society. Some, like Bartholomew Roberts, were poor men hoping to get wealthy, others like Captain Kidd were rich men wanting to be richer. And some, like William Teach, also known as Blackbeard, were simply psychopaths. Women who took to piracy, such as Anne Bonny and Mary Read, gained reputations every bit as ferocious as their male counterparts. All of them became fantastically wealthy in their lifetimes, and all of them died violently. Who were these men and women? How did they live? How did they fight and die?  What did they do with their treasure? The class will examine these questions, not only in the context of the past, but also in the role that piracy plays in the global landscape of today.