1. Pirates
Blackbeard the pirate.

2. This was Blackbeard’s pirate flag
This was Blackbeard’s pirate flag. Most ships surrendered if they saw it because they were too afraid to fight. If they resisted, no one’s life would be spared.

3. Blackbeard would put pieces of burning rope in his hair to make him look more evil and help scare his enemies. His ship was small and fast. They would sneak up on other boats in the dark and hook onto them and climb aboard.

4. Blackbeard was shot 5 times and slashed 20 times before he died
Blackbeard was shot 5 times and slashed 20 times before he died. They hung his head on the masthead of the ship as a warning to other pirates.

5. The Caribbean Sea was where most of the pirates made their attacks on the Spanish Galleons. The ships were easy targets because they were full of goods being shipped back to Europe.

6. One hundred Galleons came each year to the Americas to transport goods back to Europe. The pirates were actually encouraged to attack them by Great Britain and other countries that were tired of the monopoly they held in the world market.

7. Gold and jewelry were often the target of pirates
Gold and jewelry were often the target of pirates. Spanish coins or dub loons were used as currency.

8. Chocolate ice cream is one of our favorite treats
Chocolate ice cream is one of our favorite treats. Where did it come from?

9. Chocolate is a Caribbean treasure we enjoy!

10. Cocoa beans are found in these pods that grow on trees
Cocoa beans are found in these pods that grow on trees. When they turn red, they are ripe. Birds and other animals eat the pulp inside.

11. The cocoa bean grows on a tree in the Caribbean area.

12. Cocoa beans are sold to be made into chocolate.

13. Columbus was given cocoa beans to take back to Spain
Columbus was given cocoa beans to take back to Spain. He didn’t like the oily, bitter drink and threw the seeds away.

14. Pepper was one of the spices that Columbus and other explorers were searching for. The peppercorns were so valuable that you could purchase a slave for three of them. People wanted spices because their food was so bland. The pepper corns turn dark as they are dried.

15. One hundred ships sailed to the Americas each year to collect spices, gold, and other valuable resources.

16. Some ships were huge and had many cannons in case of an attack.

17. The pirate has been a popular name and symbol for sports teams.

18. Pirates wore outfits like this.

19. Pirate cartoons show some of the stereotypes we think of: wooden legs, eye-patches, hidden treasure, walking the plank, parrots on their shoulder, a sword hung on their belt.