Working Class History

E104: Pirates, part 2

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Apr 23, 2025
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INSIGHT

Pirates' Autonomous Strongholds

  • Pirates created anarchistic, self-governed zones like the Republic of Pirates in the Bahamas.
  • They formed trading networks outside imperial control and won popular support by spending money and freeing slaves.
INSIGHT

Pirates Disrupted Global Capitalism

  • Pirates' success in capturing merchant ships drastically raised maritime insurance costs.
  • Their actions created a real crisis in global capitalism, forcing elite powers to respond with harsh repression.
INSIGHT

Pirate Democracy and Welfare

  • Pirate crews formed democratic, egalitarian societies aboard ship with elected leaders and shared wealth.
  • They created one of history's earliest social security systems for injured crew members.
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