By: Lauren Hutchens

Late 17 th and early 18 th century, piracy was booming on the outer banks of NC. It was the Golden age of Piracy

Pirates were raiding ships and selling the goods for cheaper prices Like today’s black market This would ruin local businesses Especially since the colonists were already trying to get their feet off the ground Colonies passed laws against pirates, and put up bounties, in order to try and make it stop.

Piracy was popular during this time due to the lack of a strong government A new governor, Charles Eden, was elected. He split the North Carolina Colony into two, Currituck and Roanoke. Eden wanted to rid NC of pirates

Government corruption became worse. Government officials would make deals with pirates and even beg their case in courts. There was no military force in the colonies, so the pirates could easily elude capture.

Famous pirate Captain of the Queen Anne’s Revenge One of the most-feared pirates Would light pieces of cloth on fire and hang around his long beard to scare people

Eventually, the British government passed the Act for the More Effectual Suppression of Piracy. This law made it legal for pirates to be tried, and hung in the colonies. Piracy deeply declined after this law, as many of the pirates were caught and sentenced to death.

Piracy was an awakening to the leaders of the new world It made lawmakers realize their faults and add in laws where it seemed necessary.