Jean Lafitte (also spelt Laffite, c. 1780 to c. 1820 CE) was a Franco-American leader of pirates and privateers who captured merchant vessels of various states in the Gulf of Mexico from 1810 to 1820. Lafitte proved an invaluable ally for the United States in the War of 1812 and the 1815 Battle of New Orleans, assisting General Andrew Jackson (1767-1845) to victory against the British.
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Definition
Timeline
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c. 1780 - c. 1821Life of the pirate leader Jean Lafitte who operated in the Gulf of Mexico.
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1810The pirate leader Jean Lafitte makes his base at Barataria Bay.
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1812The pirates Pierre and Jean Lafitte are arrested by the Louisiana authorities and sheduled for trial, but they escape their bail.
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Sep 1814The British try to recruit the pirate leader Jean Lafitte for their attack on New Orleans.
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Dec 1814General Andrew Jackson recruits the pirate leader Jean Lafitte for help in the defence of New Orleans.
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8 Jan 1815The pirate leader Jean Lafitte assists General Andrew Jackson in the successful defence of New Orleans against a British attack.
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1817The pirate leader Jean Lafitte establishes a new base at Gavleston, Texas.
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1821A U.S. warship drives Jean Lafitte from Galveston.
