Background

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The classic era of piracy was in the Caribbean, from around 1650 up until the mid-1720s. By 1650, France, England and the United Provinces began to develop their colonial empires. This involved considerable seaborne trade, and a general economic improvement: there was money to be made—or stolen—and much of it traveled by ship.

France was mainly interested in trading with the locals, only taking over territories to trade with them. They were generally welcomed over the other imperialistic nations. They had the strongest trading force in the area.

England tended to conquer territories and carve them up into militaristic nations. The English had the strongest army in the area.

Spain used conquistadors to forcibly conquer territories. Spain also forced the natives to work as a slave under Spaniards. They had the strongest navy at the time.

Portugal wasn't interested in the northern new world, focusing more on the southern new world, namely Brazil.