Rediker on the Pirate's Social World and Rebellion

For Linebaugh and Rediker, as for any student of society, "crime" is socially defined. Pirates were "criminals" in the eyes of the governments at the time. Governments did things to common working people that those same working people regarded as outrageous.

So Rediker -- for the study of the pirates is largely his work -- is concerned with the social world of the pirates, and the extent to which it may be considered a kind of social rebellion of the working classes. Not an attempt to overthrow the existing order, but to found an alternative existence alongside and despite the oppressive rule of government.

Read the three articles by Rediker listed on the 'Texts' page, Section II "On Pirates." They are

• Marcus Rediker, "Under the Banner of King Death': The Social World of Anglo-American Pirates, 1716-1726," William and Mary Quarterly, 1981 (PDF)
• Marcus Rediker, "Libertalia: The Pirate's Utopia." (PDF)
• Marcus Rediker, "Liberty Beneath the Jolly Roger: The Lives of Anne Bonny and Mary Read, Pirates." (PDF)

Reread MHH, Chapter 5.

Write a thoughtful essay of about 350 words on Rediker's attempt at a class analysis, or class perspective, of the pirates. Be sure to refer, with page references, each of the articles, plus to Chapter 5.

Email to your group, and to me.