What is the Difference Between Pirates and Privateers?

The main difference between pirates and privateers lies in their legal status and the authority they operate under. Here are the key distinctions between the two:

• Pirates: Pirates are individuals who use the sea to commit theft, attacking ports or ships for their own personal gain. They operate illegally and are considered outlaws. Pirates can be people who simply escape by sea or those who attack ships in port.
• Privateers: Privateers are individuals who are commissioned by governments to carry out quasi-military activities, such as robbing merchant vessels and pillaging settlements belonging to rival countries. They operate legally under a Letter of Marque, a document granted by their nation's Admiralty that grants them permission to raid enemy ships and keep a percentage of the spoils.

In summary, pirates are outlaws who commit acts of theft on the sea, while privateers are individuals who engage in legal, government-sanctioned activities, often involving raiding enemy ships. Although both groups may engage in violent acts and theft, the key difference lies in the legal authority they operate under, with privateers having government backing for their actions.

Comparative Table: Pirates vs Privateers

Here is a table comparing the differences between pirates and privateers:

Pirates operated as outlaws, committing theft at sea, while privateers operated legally on behalf of a government with a Letter of Marque, granted permission to raid enemy ships while keeping a percentage of the spoils. Pirates had more democratic shipboard structures with ship's articles and crew input on decisions, whereas privateers followed a more military-like hierarchy. Pirates would attack any vessel, while privateers targeted specific enemy vessels based on government instructions.