Privateering and its Impact on the American Revolution

Privateering and Its Impact on the American Revolution Emma Utesch History 201-122 September 18, 2012 In the 1700s, a privateer was someone who was mandated by the government to attack ships from abroad during war time. 1During the Revolutionary War, privateer ships would receive Letters of Marque, a decree that authorized ships to act on behalf of the nations from which they were issued for the purpose of retaliating against another nation for some wrong such as border incursion. The Continental Congress of the United†¦show more content†¦There are also several people that joined the privateer movement that were younger and wouldn’t have been let in the Navy. An example of is James Forten, an African American who joined the crew on the privateering ship the Royal Lewis when he was fourteen as a powder boy.5 He was given this opportunity because the privateers did not have as many restrictions on clientele as the Navy did; it is highly probable that James Forten would not have been able to join the Continental Navy because of his age and his race. Forten invented a new type of sail that was better for maneuvering and for maintaining higher speeds for a longer stretch of time. Even though he did not patent his product, it became the most widely used and prosperous sail in Philadelphia. James Forten’s innovations involving sails have influenced sailing technologies even to this day. The fortune he made by doing this was substantial for any man, black or white. After his privateering days, he devoted more than half of his fortune to abolitionist causes. He frequently purchases slaves freedom, opened his home as an Underground Railroad Depot, and started a school for black children. Overall, American privateer ships overtook and raided roughly 600 British ships duringShow MoreRelatedThe Growth And Transformation Of A Continent1811 Words   |  8 PagesShaabain Carmen Muà ±oz-Schira, M.A. Modern World History 3/19/2015 Revolution in Europe Introduction The growth and transformation of a continent is based on social, economic, and political reforms. This paper discusses Europe’s political, social, economic, and especially religious developments of the 15th and 16th centuries, the formation of England during the reign of Elizabeth 1, Luther’s reformed Christianity, scientific revolution, and the enlightment in Europe and the United States. It focusesRead MoreAmerican Revolution and Study Guide Essay example5377 Words   |  22 PagesTo what extent had the Massachusetts Bay colonists endorsed the idea of the â€Å"separation of church and state?† (10pts) 4. To what extent was the New England Confederation a first step toward colonial unity? (10 pts) Chapter 4 Study Guide â€Å"American Life, 1607-1692† 1. Compare and contrast the colonies of New England and the South based on the following: a. Economies b. Geography climate c. Mortality rate d. Sex ratios e. Family relationships/profiles (30pts) 2. Define indentured servitudeRead MoreMing Dynasty and B. Warehouses. C. Essay4779 Words   |  20 Pagesvariety of fibers. 11. During the Heian period, Japan: a. enjoyed a period of stable, centralized political rule. b. had an alliance of local potentates and military commanders that overthrew the Heian aristocrats. c. had a peasant revolution led by Lady Murasaki Shikibu demanding land reform. d. had to seek alternative food sources due to the collapse of rice production. e. developed multiple sources of political and cultural power that were often at odds with each other. Read MoreNational Security Outline Essay40741 Words   |  163 Pages(Difficult to define) -Safety from foreign coercion or intimidation -UN Charter Article 2(4) - prohibition against â€Å"the threat or use of force against the political independence or territorial integrity of any state† Analytical Tasks: How Americans Think About National Security -Identifying Values: What is at Stake? (What are we trying to protect) -Territory -Traditional views of national security center around defending territory -Protecting homeland not a major concern until after