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UNDER THE BLACK FLAG:
A SHORT AND MERRY LIFE HAVE WE.

In January of 1713, Queen Anne of England died after several weeks of ill health. As a result of the Act of Settlement 1701, the aging Electress Sophia of Hanover was made Queen of England. Sophia is considered by many of her subjects to be a weak ruler, and Parliament meets no real resistance from the new monarch.

Spotting a weakness in England's power, Spain and France break the peace that had held since 1712 in Europe, re-igniting the War of Spanish Succession. Queen Sophia's reign would be brief before she abdicated the throne to her son George. George see's an advantage in the re-ignited war to spread England's influence further into Europe. For the time being, he turns his attention away from the colonies in the Americas, believing that he can deal with them later.

For now, the war in North America is over, but what will happen to the colonists living there while they're left to their own devices?

At the same time in the Caribbean, Privateers from all three sides of the war are growing tired of fighting wars for distant monarchs who care little for the soldiers and sailors under their rule. A group of these privateers lead by Edward Teach and Benjamin Hornigold band together to found Nassau. No longer bound to nation or creed, more like-minded individuals join them to live in true freedom.

As the war rages in the Old World, what will happen to these pirates in the New World?


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This is my own idea for an Alternate History timeline, and I thought I'd give it a try on this site. The Point of Diversion in this case is the early death of Queen Anne and the continuation of the War of Spanish Succession for another several years, drawing attention away from the American colonies.

What will change in the Golden Age of Piracy with the European Empires more focused on their war? What will this change for the history of the Americas?
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