Piracy in the Atlantic World

The Atlantic World refers to the period and interconnected history of the European colonization of the Americas from around 1492 to the early nineteenth century. This term refers to the expanded naval presence of European powers at the time (Spain, Portugal, Britain, and others) for exploration, trade, and migration.

Piracy became increasingly prevalent during this era, due to various natural factors that diminished the abilities of law enforcement across vast areas, which further weakened state control over many coastal regions, and increased competition between European powers.

Some of the best-known pirates of this era were the Golden Age Pirates (c. 1650-1730), who roamed the seas off North America, Africa, and the Caribbean coasts.