When Pirates Were Legal | Smartest Year Ever (Jan 22, 2025)

Did you know pirates were sometimes perfectly legal? Dive into the fascinating history of letters of marque and reprisal, the government-issued permission slips that turned private citizens into privateers—essentially lawful pirates. Gordy uncovers how nations like England, France, and the U.S. used privateers to disrupt enemy trade, boost war efforts, and rake in profits during wartime. Learn about the fine line between hero and pirate, why privateering ended, and whether the U.S. could bring it back.

From the American Revolution to Sir Francis Drake’s exploits, this episode is a swashbuckling journey through history with a twist of modern intrigue. Patriotism meets plunder—it’s a story you won’t forget.

Sources:

• Rodger, N. A. M. (2004). The Command of the Ocean: A Naval History of Britain, 1649-1815. Penguin Books.

• Starkey, D. J. (1990). British Privateering Enterprise in the Eighteenth Century. University of Exeter Press.

• Kert, F. (1997). Privateering: Patriots and Profits in the War of 1812. Johns Hopkins University Press.

• U.S. Constitution, Article I, Section 8, Clause 11: Letters of Marque and Reprisal.