The Changing Role of Pirates in Colonial America

American colonists in the 17th and 18th Centuries displayed a pioneering spirit, supported the egalitarian belief that all people are created equal and should have the same rights, bravely explored new territory, and met countless native peoples over the years. 

This description of American colonists who left England for a different and better life is widely accepted by historians and the public at large. But what if I told you that same characterization could be used to describe pirates during this era as well? 

While modern movies and literature would have most people believing that pirates were bloodthirsty robbers of the sea who greedily plundered loot from the unsuspecting, they were, in fact, integral in helping the colonists survive and possibly a valuable aid to the colonists in their fight for independence from British rule. 

Let’s explore more on how the colonists had more in common with pirates than one would think. They also played an important role in the American Revolution that may have helped tip the balance toward the colonists.  

The Similarities Between Colonists and Pirates 

Due to exaggerations portrayed in our modern arts and culture pirates often get a bad rap for being drunk on power (and rum), greedy, and bloodthirsty. Pirates actually have more in common with colonists than one would imagine. 

Pirates and American colonists share a few key characteristics and beliefs. For instance, sailors who take part in seafaring as a part of a crew, sign a charter before setting sail that is similar to the colonists’ Declaration of Independence or Constitution in that it states the rules, rights and code that all should live by including the basis of democracy and voting. 

Additionally, both colonists and pirates emphasized and believed in written law, due process, the democratic process, and the one-man-one vote belief. Should an issue arise on a sailing vessel the crew members would vote on a solution similar to what the colonists who were fighting for representation within the British rule yearned for.

The Changing Role of Pirates During the Colonial Era 

In the early to mid-17th Century, pirates were often under contract with the British Crown as a way to reduce the competition from other European countries hoping to stake a claim in the New World. Piracy often fueled colonization efforts on behalf of the crown and kept competitors at bay. The Spanish in particular were driven from the eastern coastline as pirates harassed and plundered Spanish ships constantly.

In other ways, pirates helped strengthen trade routes and kept the infant colony’s economies going. The steady stream of goods (and slaves) coming and going from the colonies helped colonists with their survival. 

However, as the colonies grew, and more and more Europeans settled in the new lands, the British began to no longer see the use of pirates. Thus their view of them shifted from one of “partners” in settlement, trade, and exploration to an adversarial relationship. As such, the laws became divided on pirate behavior between the colonial rulers and the British Crown. 

Colonists continued to welcome pirates as they provided a steady stream of goods and food in a trade network and provided financial support for the growing colonies. The British, however, began to see pirates as a political threat and deployed all means necessary to dispatch pirates in the New World. 

Fighting Alongside the Colonists 

As the 13 colonies inched closer to a split with the British during the American Revolutionary War, the Continental Congress relied on pirates and contracted with pirates to help fight the strongest navy in the world – the British Royal Navy. 

Pirates were responsible for recruiting 55,000 sailors to serve in a makeshift navy against the goliath British Navy. During the Revolutionary War they seized 600 British vessels, raided loyalists’ homes along the coast, and looted $18 million worth of British and Loyalists’ property (worth the equivalent of $302 million in modern currency). 

Pirates may be viewed today as a side note in American history but they most certainly held a critical role in the development and settlement of the colonies and an important role in the Revolutionary War. To find out more about pirates that sailed along the Eastern United States visit Real Pirates Salem.