freebooters

Freebooters, also known as bucaneers or sometimes mistakenly pirates, were adventurers who operated primarily in the Caribbean and South American coasts during the 17th and 18th centuries. Unlike pirates who attacked any vessel, freebooters often targeted ships belonging to specific nations, particularly Spanish vessels transporting goods and treasure from the New World. Their origins were diverse, often comprising disgruntled sailors, escaped indentured servants, and those seeking a more lucrative life outside the established colonial powers.

The term "freebooter" itself suggests a free-roaming nature, emphasizing their independence from any formal navy or government. They typically operated from bases on islands and coastlines, launching raids and ambushes. While they engaged in plunder, their motivations were often intertwined with political or economic grievances against colonial empires. Some freebooters even held letters of marque, officially sanctioned by governments to harass enemy shipping, blurring the lines between privateer and freebooter. Their activities contributed to the complex and often violent maritime landscape of the era, impacting trade routes and colonial expansion.