To what extent was the development of the world from 1450-1900 premised on piracy?

Question

Be sure to consider Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Americas.

Answer 1

Whenever considering questions of this type, especially in the social sciences, you have to be EXTREMELY CAREFUL in defining your terms. What is the exact definition of piracy that you wish to use? Would the definition had made sense to the people of the time? Would it have made sense to BOTH sides involved? Also, you need to consider gray areas, such as negotiations for trade in which there is a perceived or real threat of force being used. After you made your decisions as to what especially the key term means in this context you will probably have an easier time developing your own answer.