Explain Why Seamen Resort To Piracy

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Recommended: Essays on modern piracy

Montaser Huq

Abstract

This essay is aimed at understanding why someone would resort to piracy and justifying its cause. To become a pirate there are 2 options, mutiny or volunteering. Both options give a seaman a chance to survive. There are three reasons why seamen would resort to piracy: money, freedom, and necessity. When a seaman takes up piracy he becomes an outlaw. However, when a country sends their privateers- who were really pirates, only they worked under a letter of marque- they are some how exempt from being an outlaw.

Becoming A Pirate Piracy has had a significant impact on our society. However, trying to justify what an act of piracy is and what is not, …show more content…

They weren’t making any money or nearly enough on the navy ship. And the reason why money was such a big issue is because generally the life of a seaman wasn’t very long. “Pirates did not expect to live long, nor did their criminal reputations allow them to settle down and invest in real estate, family, or the future.”(Dawdy 2012:679) The job was dangerous and came with many risks. The conditions on pirate ships were also more appealing to navy sailors. They saw these men living life in their own terms, making money, and enjoying the job. So, when the opportunity arose they accepted. Money became freedom to them. As Dawdy explains, “Pirates exerted social pressure upon one another not only to share their gains but to spend them lavishly in port havens such as Tortuga and Port Royal on instant gratifications such as liquor and prostitution, and on extravagant consumables such as fancy clothes and jewelry.”(2012:679) With money they could do anything they wished. Their money was spent mostly on alcohol and women, but at least they felt in charge of their

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