Lecture 10 - Atlantic Pirates, Indian Ocean PDF

HTST 452 – Atlantic Piracy, 1500- 1865 Lecture 10: Atlantic Pirates, Indian Ocean  Lecture Outline Colonial Origins of Indian Ocean Piracy Trading Companies and Violence Slave Trading and Pirate Settlements The “King of Pyrates” and the Pirate Hunter Henry Every (Avery)...

HTST 452 – Atlantic Piracy, 1500- 1865 Lecture 10: Atlantic Pirates, Indian Ocean  Lecture Outline Colonial Origins of Indian Ocean Piracy Trading Companies and Violence Slave Trading and Pirate Settlements The “King of Pyrates” and the Pirate Hunter Henry Every (Avery) William Kidd  From New York to Madagascar Colonial trade from British North America Trade from metropole directed by chartered trade companies (English East India Company) Colonial trade skips them; mediated by pirates! New York, Providence, Boston prominent in this trade Informal networks of trade in the Indo-Atlantic World: Enable colonists to buy East India goods – including slaves Outgrowth of plantation/capital economy of the Atlantic System Avoided the costly monopolies of Portuguese, VOC, EIC traders Reminds us that oceans are not discrete entities Pirates ignored regional/oceanic distinctions Violence and Piracy in the Indian Ocean European behavior in the region since 1497 very akin to piracy Lack of desirable trade goods; powerful existing merchant networks Europeans resort to force and extortion, using more powerful ships Trade with Europe dominated by trading companies by 1690s VOC, EIC, French East India Co., and the Portuguese are the main European parties European (especially English, French, & colonial) pirates roam eastern Indian Ocean in increasing numbers in late 1600s Push and pull: Some were forced out of Caribbean Others pushed by social and economic factors into piracy: Rich prizes available, often easily captured Acceptable to the pirates’ home communities – practical and religious reasons Indo-Atlantic Pirates Despite being considered pirates, many are well-integrated into colonial society. Not outcasts. The Rhode Island assembly met once in the home of the pirate William Mays Contraband trading widely acceptable to merchants and elites in New York, Providence, and others. Piracy as a spectrum: People moved in and out of piracy rather freely in this region. “Pirates” might commit one act, or a whole career of pillage Merchants and traders worked closely with pirates; welcomed them into the community; protected them from capture/arrest. Pirates maintained familial and economic connections within established colonial hierarchies Distance and religious justifications made their attacks acceptable to North American colonists. Few saw any objection to attacking Muslim shipping. Their success drew the ire of two empires: England and Mughal India Pressure point for the English: EIC ships, factories. Company was struggling somewhat in 1690s. Madagascar and Red Sea Pirates Why Madagascar? A no-man’s land (for Englishmen anyway) between two trading monopolies: Royal Africa Company and East India Company Colonial traders could purchase slaves and luxuries there and pay less. Large pirate and slaving communities spring up at St. Mary’s, Illegal traders soon discover piracy is more lucrative In 1690s most voyages began in North American colonies, with privateering commissions directed at the French, or with “pretence of trading from island to island” Very profitable: merchant Frederick Philipse becomes the richest man in NY by investing heavily in Red Sea piracy Even individual sailors could profit handsomely. Crew of the Batchelor’s Delight, out of Charleston, shared about £1,100 each ($150,000 or more in current US) from just one voyage in early 1690s. The Greatest Robbery? Henry Every May have had experience in Royal Navy; sailed as a South Sea buccaneer 1694 – steals ship via mutiny, sails for Indian Ocean. Joins group of pirates operating from region around Madagascar Captures the Ganj-i-Sawai, ship owned by Mughal emperor Aurangzeb Heads back to New World, crew scatters. Most never captured Mughal coins keep showing up in New England almost to this day One of his crew married the daughter of the governor of Pennsylvania EIC furious – Mughals threatening to attack and blockade them Several of Every’s crew are captured, brought to London, and tried for piracy. They were acquitted, but the EIC used its political influence to force a second trial All six captives convicted and hung. Every himself was never captured. Fate is unclear Pirates and Pirate Hunters William Kidd 1696 – commissioned to hunt pirates in Indian Ocean Just “kidd”-ing. Takes monsoon winds to Red Sea, starts raiding shipping. EIC now escorts pilgrim fleets to Mecca. Kidd can’t replicate Every’s feat. Finally makes a big capture in early 1698. Heads to New York to sell his goods and hide out. While he was away, piracy became a lot less acceptable. Warrant has been issued for his arrest. Gives himself up to one of his voyage sponsors, now governor of NY in 1699. Instead of a pardon he gets shipped to London, tried for piracy before admiralty court, and hanged in 1701. Kidd was sacrificed to politics A peace offering of sorts to EIC to make up for Every’s escape and the frequent acquittal of other Red Sea pirates Local Conditions and Global Piracy Kidd and Every examples of “global” piracy, but remained tied to Atlantic world and port communities Pirates relied on port towns for supplies, rest, shelter, and selling stolen goods. North American towns increasingly important New York, Philadelphia, Newport, Boston, Charleston all important shelters in late 1600s, early 1700s. Colonial governance structure made it very difficult to stomp out piracy. Several acts of Parliament impose restrictions on them after 1695. Source of deep resentment. More on this in a later lecture. Madagascar remains a pirate shelter for decades to come Source of enduring fictions about a pirate republic or kingdom Some Conclusions Piracy and maritime plunder had a central role in early modern colonialism Commercial concerns and trade went hand in hand with raiding and violence Pirates were often well-integrated into colonial societies and cultures This goes for both Madagascar and the English colonies of North America Slavery and slave trading integral to these networks Not just as laborers, but as commodities and members of communities Imperial responses – Mughal and English – came when piracy threatened to cause inter-imperial conflict