Atlantic Piracy in Global Perspective, c. 1500-1750 – NEW!
Characterized by colonization, growing competition, violence, innovation, and global interconnection, the early modern era was a “golden age” for piracy. In this module, students examine Atlantic piracy in the context of early globalization and consider how the history of piracy in this period reflects the opportunities and costs of a more tightly connected world. Through two weeks of class meetings, students learn about the role of piracy in Atlantic colonization, and the factors that made piracy attractive and possible between c.1500–c.1750. In addition, the module also considers who became a pirate and why, and why piracy was first welcomed by emerging European empires and later viewed as a costly threat
Original version authored by Molly A. Warsh
Readings and Primary Sources
Module Lesson Plan:
- Atlantic-Piracy-0.0-Module lesson plan
- Atlantic-Piracy-0.1-Schedule at a glance
- Atlantic-Piracy-0.2-About this module for students
Lesson 1:
- Atlantic-Piracy-1.1-Reading 1-The Dawn of a Golden Age
- Atlantic-Piracy-1.2-Primary Sources-Cabot, Staden, and Lery
Lesson 2:
- Atlantic-Piracy-2.1-Reading 2-16th Century Piracy
- Atlantic-Piracy-2.2-Primary Sources-Nichols and Drake
Lesson 3:
- Atlantic-Piracy-3.1-Reading 3-17th Century Imperial Competition
- Atlantic-Piracy-3.2-Primary Sources-Frethorne, Esquemeling, Morgan, and Samuel
Lesson 4:
- Atlantic-Piracy-4.1-Reading 4-18th Century Piracy, Plantations, and Global Markets
- Atlantic-Piracy-4.2-Primary Sources-Villany Rewarded, Bonny and Read, and Roberts
Lesson 5:
