Piracy in The Caribbean - Slave Pirates

Slave Pirates

Many slaves, primarily from places in Africa were being exported to colonies in the Caribbean for slave labour in implantations. Out of the people that were forced into slavery and shipped off to colonies, 9 to 32 percent were children different from the years 1673-1798 in which is just consisting of Great Britain’s exports. While on the average 12 week journey to the colonies the new slaves endured ghastly living condition that included: too small of space to even be able to stand, the temperatures were hot, diet was poor, and disease and death flourished. Before many slaves became slave they were already victims and/or prisoners of civil war. many aspects of being a slave overall increased the allure of the pirating lifestyle. During the 17th and 18th century, pirating was at a height and its symbolic interpretation of freedom peaked. This abstract ideal was something that was very appealing to the slaves and victims of imperialism. Although the main European powers did not want slaves to find out about the opportunity for freedom that piracy offered, still “...30 percent of the 5000 or more pirates who were active between 1715 and 1725 were of African heritage.” Along with the opportunity of a new life and freedom, the indigenous people of Africa experience ahead of its time equality when individuals joined pirating communities. In which many slave turn pirates “secured” a position of leadership or prestige on pirating vessels, like that of Captain. One of the main areas of origin for many slaves was Madagascar; one of the largest importers of slaves to American colonies such as in Jamaica and Barbados was Great Britain.