Piracy in the Caribbean existed largely because of major trade and exploration routes, but it flourished due to seaports that the European countries colonized throughout the islands in the 16th through 18th centuries...
When Columbus came to the New World, so did many European diseases, which reduced the native populations. This loss of population led to an opportunity for countries to set up their colonies on the islands. Cuba, Hispaniola, Tortuga, and Trinidad were settled quickly. The loss of natives also led to the Spanish relying heavily on African slave labor to run the plantations and mines. Gold and silver, while still sought after, were replaced by sugar and tobacco as a path to financial gain.
Because the Spanish empire had begun to decline, many of the pirates and privateers were left unchecked by the royal powers. When England captured Jamaica from the Spanish in 1655, Port Royal became a haven for buccaneers (pirates who specifically worked in the Caribbean). The Golden Age of Piracy - from about 1700 to 1730 - was a time of rapid growth in these island ports. It is estimated that there were nearly 2500 active pirates at this time in the Caribbean region.
Interestingly, buccaneers operated as a democracy. The captain was elected by the crew, and they could vote to replace him. In combat, he was expected to fight alongside his men. Loot was divided evenly into shares. Officers who took greater risks might receive a greater number of shares, as would the captain. Crews were very tight-knit, and the successful ones worked well together. They even had a bit of an insurance system, where if a man was injured, he received extra shares. If he was killed, his family sometimes received those shares.
Our spine read for this unit is Treasure Island
Access the complete unit in Twenty-Three Reads Bundle, the literature-based program for someone who wants a little bit of everything!
It includes twenty-three unit studies covering a wide range of topics. Each unit has introductory text, which will give the student basic background information about the topic at hand. These studies are directed toward upper grades students, but some have resources for younger students so that the whole family can work together.
- There are photographs and illustrations, and we have also included primary documents when available.
- After this text, there are featured videos, which augment the background information and help make the topic more accessible for more visual students.
- You will also find a short list of reading books, including a featured novel that the unit builds upon.
- There are vocabulary words, places, and people to identify.
- Reading comprehension, critical thinking questions, and writing assignments are included.
- We add fun with hands-on activities and extra videos to watch that will bring the era to life.
- Language Arts
- Finding Langston & the Poetry of Langston Hughes
- Geography
- Anne of Green Gables & Canadian Provinces
- Stowaway & Antarctica
- Julie of the Wolves & Alaska
- Blades of Freedom & the Louisiana Purchase
- The Avion My Uncle Flew & France
- History
- Zlata’s Diary & the Slavic Wars
- Freedom Summer & the Summer of 1964
- Treasure Island & Pirates of the Caribbean Sea
- Farenheit 451 & Types of Government
- Red Stars & Russia in World War 2
- The Great Gatsby & the Roaring Twenties
- The Long List of Impossible Things & Post-War Germany
- A Tale of Two Cities & French Revolution
- Witch of Blackbird Pond & Salem Witch Trials
- The World Made New & Early Explorers
- Stitching a Life & Jewish Immigration
- Life Skills
- Teetoncey & Lifesaving Skills
- Freak of the Week & Disabilities Awareness
- Island of the Blue Dolphins & Sailing
- Science
- The Science of Breakable Things & the Scientific Method
- Frankenstein & Human Anatomy
- Charlie Thorne and the Last Equation & Albert Einstein
Product samples:
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.