Piracy

High school (ages 12+)
History & Culture

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/piracy

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What was the Golden Age of Piracy and when did it happen?The Golden Age of Piracy was a time from about 1650 to 1730 when many organized pirates sailed the Caribbean. It grew after wars ended and sailors looked for better lives.
2. Why did some sailors become pirates instead of staying on regular ships?Sailors turned to piracy because life on navy or merchant ships was harsh, with low pay and strict discipline. Pirates offered more freedom, fair sharing of loot, and a chance to earn more.

Privateering: Government-sanctioned piracy, where private ships were authorized to attack enemy vessels during wartime.
Impressment: The forced recruitment of sailors into naval service, a common practice that often led to harsh conditions.
Maritime Trade Routes: Established sea lanes used for transporting goods between different countries and continents.