Blog Post 2

As the age of exploration continue to grow so did

piracy. Three countries set out to capture as

much of the new world as they could. Them

being Spain, France, and Britain. Through

reading the next two chapters it was Spain who

tended to set the bar for exploration for all

others. They had conquered most of what is now

South America as they believed it all belonged to

them. Spain would often launch conquest through the jungles and either enslaving or slaughtering the

native Aztecs and Incas. It would seem as one huge power struggle with everyone wanting a piece of

Spain's efforts as the English and French would often hire pirates to disrupt the Spanish settlements.

Both books chapters detail how pirates such as the Frenchman Peter the Great would often be

undermanned compared to the Spanish ships but had the element of surprise on their side.

"Buccaneers and Pirates" said, "As soon as it became dark enough they slowly and quietly paddled

toward the great ship.. the people on the deck of the Bessel saw and heard nothing on the dark waters

around them" (Stockton). The funny thing about some of these pirates were how they were more or

less mercenaries. Hired to do one or two campaigns against the Spanish and they would then retire to

live long and peaceful lives with their riches. Even a pirate as well known as Captain Henry Morgan

of the alcoholic drink Captain Morgan's Rum was knighted by King Charles II? David Cordingly

described Morgan as, "Connected and influential" (Cordingly) and his laidback lifestyle describing,

"He had purchased seveal thousand acres on the island and set up his own sugar plantations. He was

happily married for more than twenty years" (Cordingly). Compare that to what we're used to about

piracy where all they knew was being a pirate and would continue their activities up until their

eventual deaths.  After reading chapters 3&4 the new world was essentially Spain's to lose and the

English and French were quickly gaining ground on them. The Spanish placed a big target on their

backs and greed and ruthlessness was quickly setting in throughout all of Europe.


Cordingly, David (1/31/2017). Under the Black Flag (p. ). Kindle Edition
Stockton, Franklin Richard (1/31/2017). Buccaneers and Pirates (p. 17). Kindle Edition

Blog Post 1

Pirates: Separating fact from fiction

Everyone knows and loves pirates. They're a staple of historical

figures besides cowboys although their reign was rather short lived.

They've been featured in everything from classic novels, a football

team, iconic film characters and Halloween costumes. As I've read

between our two assigned books "Under the Black Flag" and "Buccaneers and Pirates" everything

I've ever known about them is more fiction than fact. Although there are similarities between the two

books "Under" is more of an historic piece with well researched information on well-known pirates

like Henry Morgan. "Buccaneers" on the other hand is told more from the authors point of view

detailing all the glamorous things, like everyone growing up, you associate with pirates from plank

walking to treasure chest full of dabloons. "I had a great desire to become what might be called a

marine Robin Hood. I would take from the rich and give to the poor" (Stockton). It was what

everyone who saw Captain Jack Sparrow pictured a pirate's life would be, on the contrary it was more

of the opposite. While the typical pirate clothing was true, the lifestyle tended to be more of the

opposite. One can trace the classic pirate dream back to Long John Silver in Robert Louis Stevenson's

"Treasure Island". After reading simply the intro of "Under the Black Pearl" I learned that pirates

were similar to Captain Leandro Barbosa than Captain Jack Sparrow. Cordingly wrote, "Piracy, like

rape, depended on the use of force or the threat or force, and pirate attacks were frequently

accompanied by extreme violence, torture and death" (Cordingly). After reading the intro, its almost

as if your childhood dream is shattered and a pirates life is more in tune of being a disgusting villain

than a swashbuckling hero.


Cordingly, David (1/30/2017). Under the Black Flag (p. 4). Kindle Edition

Stockton, Franklin Richard (1/30/2017). Buccaneers and Pirates (p. 5). Kindle Edition