Most Phoenicians were poor and thus led a pastoral life (leading sheep and goats around the side of a hill for meager wages). Richer Phoenicians were actively engaged in trade and commerce. Imagine something similar to a farmer's market.
Their merchant ships being attacked by pirates
They had limited farming land to support a growing population - they had the choice of conquering more land or trade. They chose the latter.
The land trading routes were blocked because of mountains and neighbors so they had to use the sea as their trade roots now.
Harriet Tubman's biggest obstacle was discovering the Underground Railroad. She became famous by finding the Underground Railroad, that led to the north. She freed over 300 slaves.
Their merchant ships being attacked by pirates
The Phoenicians traded around the Mediterranean Sea, and spread their writing to the peoples there.
What caused Phoenicians to rely upon to travel and trade by the sea
Trade led to battles when the Native Americans were pressed for more pelts. The traders were making the hunt for them more competitive.
Before the time of mechanical transport, moving goods by animal-drawn wagons was slow, and over a couple of hundred kilometers at 15 km a day, they would eat out the cargo they were drawing. Water transport was the feasible alternative over longer distances.
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