1) In the late 17th and early 18th centuries, British officials began cracking down on piracy as the pirates increasingly targeted British vessels for plunder. By 1730, a campaign had virtually wiped out pirates threatening British trade. 2) In the 1750s-60s, poverty grew in American urban ports as imperial wars killed many men and flooding of poor immigrants depressed wages. Rural and frontier areas also saw growing poverty due to harsh conditions. 3) Most 18th century emigrants to America were enslaved Africans, with the slave trade devastating West Africa and enriching European empires. The voyage over the Atlantic killed about 20% of slaves due to horrible conditions on the ships.

1. American Colonies- Prelude to the Revolution Paige Ellis