1696 Henry Avery's success inspires Atlantic pirates The spectacular plunder taken by Henry Avery helps fuel the myth and ambition that later feed pirate enclaves in the Atlantic world. 1701 War of the Spanish Succession begins European war expands privateering in the Atlantic, training many sailors who later drift into piracy when peace returns. 1703 French and Spanish forces devastate Nassau An attack on Nassau leaves New Providence weakly governed, creating the power vacuum pirates later exploit. 1706 Nassau effectively slips from firm imperial control With colonial authority weakened, pirates increasingly use Nassau as a permissive harbor and marketplace. 1713 Peace leaves privateers unemployed The end of the War of the Spanish Succession sends many former privateers toward piracy and into Bahamian waters. 1713 Hornigold begins pirate operations from Nassau Benjamin Hornigold makes Nassau a practical base for raiding and recruitment. 1714 Nassau's pirate flotilla grows Small craft and armed sloops begin to dominate waters around New Providence, turning the harbor into a pirate hub. 1715 The Spanish treasure fleet disaster draws pirates The wreck of the 1715 treasure fleet off Florida attracts large numbers of pirates and strengthens Nassau's networks. 1715 The Flying Gang consolidates influence Hornigold, Jennings, Vane, and others form a loose pirate alliance later known as the Flying Gang. 1716 Blackbeard joins Hornigold Edward Teach, later known as Blackbeard, emerges from Hornigold's circle and helps make Nassau notorious. 1716 Pirates dominate New Providence Nassau reaches the height of its reputation as a pirate republic, with hundreds of raiders and a thriving illicit econo… 1717 The Crown appoints Woodes Rogers Britain chooses former privateer Woodes Rogers to restore order in the Bahamas and crush the pirate enclave. September 1717 A royal pardon is offered to pirates The king's proclamation offers clemency to pirates who surrender, splitting the Nassau community between pragmatists an… 1718 Blackbeard leaves Nassau Rather than submit to the new order, Blackbeard departs and builds an independent career in the wider Atlantic. July 26, 1718 Woodes Rogers arrives at Nassau Rogers reaches New Providence with warships, troops, and authority to dismantle the pirate republic. July 26, 1718 Charles Vane makes a fiery escape Vane refuses surrender, sets fire to a captured ship as a diversion, and flees Nassau with followers. 1718 Hornigold turns pirate hunter Benjamin Hornigold accepts the new regime and begins pursuing former pirate allies on behalf of Rogers. November 22, 1718 Blackbeard is killed at Ocracoke Blackbeard dies in battle off North Carolina, eliminating the republic's most famous associated pirate. 1719 Rogers fortifies Nassau's recovery The rebuilt garrison and stronger administration make a renewed pirate takeover increasingly unlikely. 1720 The pirate republic era is over By 1720 Nassau has largely ceased to function as a pirate self-governing enclave, ending the classic republic of pirate…