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Discovering the World: Drake's Amazing Adventures!

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Jess Dodwell

22/07/2022

History

Elizabethan England in the Age of Exploration

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History

Discovering the World: Drake's Amazing Adventures!

Sir Francis Drake's circumnavigation marked a pivotal moment in Elizabethan exploration, combining privateering, exploration, and political strategy. This historic journey demonstrated England's growing maritime power and challenged Spanish dominance in the New World.

• The consequences of Drake's circumnavigation included establishing new trade routes, securing valuable resources, and boosting England's naval prestige
• Drake's mission combined official exploration goals with secret plans to raid Spanish colonies
• The journey resulted in significant economic gains through plunder and trade agreements
• Technological and navigational advances of the Elizabethan era made such exploration possible
• The expedition strengthened England's position against Spanish dominance in the Americas

...

22/07/2022

551

Elizabethan Society in the Age of Exploration GCSE History Revision Features of Drake's circumnavigation of the world AIMS: Plunder Spanish

View

Drake's Pacific Exploits and Northern Exploration

Drake's activities in the Pacific Ocean were marked by a series of successful raids on Spanish ships and settlements, demonstrating the vulnerability of Spain's Pacific territories. These actions had significant implications for the balance of power between England and Spain.

Quote: "At El Callao, the port to Lima, Drake spent days robbing all 12 ships in the harbour, taking coins and silks and charts."

The capture of the Spanish treasure ship Cacafuego off the coast of Ecuador was a particularly notable achievement. The immense wealth seized from this single ship—worth £140,000 at the time—underscores the lucrative nature of Drake's privateering activities and their importance to England's economy.

Drake's attempt to find the Northwest Passage, though unsuccessful, exemplifies the exploratory aspect of his voyage. His northward journey along the coast of North America, possibly reaching as far as Vancouver Island, expanded European knowledge of the region and laid the groundwork for future explorations.

Highlight: Drake's claim of "Nova Albion" (likely in present-day California) for Queen Elizabeth I was a bold statement of England's ambition to challenge Spanish dominance in the Americas.

The expedition's interactions with indigenous peoples, both hostile (as at Mocha Island) and welcoming (in California), provide insight into the complex dynamics of early European-Native American encounters during the age of exploration.

Elizabethan Society in the Age of Exploration GCSE History Revision Features of Drake's circumnavigation of the world AIMS: Plunder Spanish

View

Completion of the Voyage and Its Significance

The final leg of Drake's circumnavigation included significant diplomatic and commercial achievements, as well as harrowing challenges. His trade treaty with the sultan of Ternate Island in the Maluku Islands opened new opportunities for English merchants in the lucrative spice trade.

Vocabulary: Circumnavigation - The act of sailing all the way around the world.

Drake's return to England in 1580 marked a momentous occasion in Elizabethan history. As only the second person to circumnavigate the globe, Drake's achievement significantly boosted England's national prestige and signaled its growing strength as a seafaring nation.

The financial success of the voyage was staggering. Drake returned with an estimated £400,000 of Spanish treasure, equivalent to about £200 million in modern currency. This windfall provided investors with a 4600% dividend and bolstered the Crown's finances at a critical time.

Definition: Privateering - The practice of privately owned ships being authorized by a government to attack and capture enemy vessels.

Queen Elizabeth I's decision to knight Drake on the deck of the Golden Hind was a calculated political move, sending a strong message of defiance to Spain and affirming England's growing maritime ambitions.

The significance of Drake's circumnavigation extended beyond immediate financial and political gains:

  1. It greatly enhanced England's reputation as a seafaring nation.
  2. The voyage encouraged further exploration by demonstrating the feasibility of long-distance maritime expeditions.
  3. Drake and his crew gathered valuable information about the Americas, contributing to England's geographical knowledge and navigational expertise.
  4. The expedition heightened tensions between England and Spain, contributing to the eventual outbreak of war.

In conclusion, Sir Francis Drake's circumnavigation was a pivotal event that showcased England's emerging naval prowess, challenged Spanish hegemony, and set the stage for England's future as a global maritime power. Its impacts on trade, exploration, and international relations would resonate for centuries to come.

Elizabethan Society in the Age of Exploration GCSE History Revision Features of Drake's circumnavigation of the world AIMS: Plunder Spanish

View

Reasons for Increased Exploration

The period 1558-88 saw unprecedented growth in English exploration due to multiple factors:

Highlight: Economic motivations included potential returns of up to 4600% for investors in successful voyages.

Definition: Privateering was state-sanctioned piracy that allowed explorers like Drake to legally plunder enemy ships.

Vocabulary: Commodities - valuable trade goods including pearls, spices, sugar cane, precious metals, and tobacco.

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Discovering the World: Drake's Amazing Adventures!

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Sir Francis Drake's circumnavigation marked a pivotal moment in Elizabethan exploration, combining privateering, exploration, and political strategy. This historic journey demonstrated England's growing maritime power and challenged Spanish dominance in the New World.

• The consequences of Drake's circumnavigation included establishing new trade routes, securing valuable resources, and boosting England's naval prestige
• Drake's mission combined official exploration goals with secret plans to raid Spanish colonies
• The journey resulted in significant economic gains through plunder and trade agreements
• Technological and navigational advances of the Elizabethan era made such exploration possible
• The expedition strengthened England's position against Spanish dominance in the Americas

...

22/07/2022

551

 

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History

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Elizabethan Society in the Age of Exploration GCSE History Revision Features of Drake's circumnavigation of the world AIMS: Plunder Spanish

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Drake's Pacific Exploits and Northern Exploration

Drake's activities in the Pacific Ocean were marked by a series of successful raids on Spanish ships and settlements, demonstrating the vulnerability of Spain's Pacific territories. These actions had significant implications for the balance of power between England and Spain.

Quote: "At El Callao, the port to Lima, Drake spent days robbing all 12 ships in the harbour, taking coins and silks and charts."

The capture of the Spanish treasure ship Cacafuego off the coast of Ecuador was a particularly notable achievement. The immense wealth seized from this single ship—worth £140,000 at the time—underscores the lucrative nature of Drake's privateering activities and their importance to England's economy.

Drake's attempt to find the Northwest Passage, though unsuccessful, exemplifies the exploratory aspect of his voyage. His northward journey along the coast of North America, possibly reaching as far as Vancouver Island, expanded European knowledge of the region and laid the groundwork for future explorations.

Highlight: Drake's claim of "Nova Albion" (likely in present-day California) for Queen Elizabeth I was a bold statement of England's ambition to challenge Spanish dominance in the Americas.

The expedition's interactions with indigenous peoples, both hostile (as at Mocha Island) and welcoming (in California), provide insight into the complex dynamics of early European-Native American encounters during the age of exploration.

Elizabethan Society in the Age of Exploration GCSE History Revision Features of Drake's circumnavigation of the world AIMS: Plunder Spanish

Sign up to see the content. It's free!

Access to all documents

Improve your grades

Join milions of students

By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Completion of the Voyage and Its Significance

The final leg of Drake's circumnavigation included significant diplomatic and commercial achievements, as well as harrowing challenges. His trade treaty with the sultan of Ternate Island in the Maluku Islands opened new opportunities for English merchants in the lucrative spice trade.

Vocabulary: Circumnavigation - The act of sailing all the way around the world.

Drake's return to England in 1580 marked a momentous occasion in Elizabethan history. As only the second person to circumnavigate the globe, Drake's achievement significantly boosted England's national prestige and signaled its growing strength as a seafaring nation.

The financial success of the voyage was staggering. Drake returned with an estimated £400,000 of Spanish treasure, equivalent to about £200 million in modern currency. This windfall provided investors with a 4600% dividend and bolstered the Crown's finances at a critical time.

Definition: Privateering - The practice of privately owned ships being authorized by a government to attack and capture enemy vessels.

Queen Elizabeth I's decision to knight Drake on the deck of the Golden Hind was a calculated political move, sending a strong message of defiance to Spain and affirming England's growing maritime ambitions.

The significance of Drake's circumnavigation extended beyond immediate financial and political gains:

  1. It greatly enhanced England's reputation as a seafaring nation.
  2. The voyage encouraged further exploration by demonstrating the feasibility of long-distance maritime expeditions.
  3. Drake and his crew gathered valuable information about the Americas, contributing to England's geographical knowledge and navigational expertise.
  4. The expedition heightened tensions between England and Spain, contributing to the eventual outbreak of war.

In conclusion, Sir Francis Drake's circumnavigation was a pivotal event that showcased England's emerging naval prowess, challenged Spanish hegemony, and set the stage for England's future as a global maritime power. Its impacts on trade, exploration, and international relations would resonate for centuries to come.

Elizabethan Society in the Age of Exploration GCSE History Revision Features of Drake's circumnavigation of the world AIMS: Plunder Spanish

Sign up to see the content. It's free!

Access to all documents

Improve your grades

Join milions of students

By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Reasons for Increased Exploration

The period 1558-88 saw unprecedented growth in English exploration due to multiple factors:

Highlight: Economic motivations included potential returns of up to 4600% for investors in successful voyages.

Definition: Privateering was state-sanctioned piracy that allowed explorers like Drake to legally plunder enemy ships.

Vocabulary: Commodities - valuable trade goods including pearls, spices, sugar cane, precious metals, and tobacco.

Elizabethan Society in the Age of Exploration GCSE History Revision Features of Drake's circumnavigation of the world AIMS: Plunder Spanish

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Access to all documents

Improve your grades

Join milions of students

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Drake's Circumnavigation: Aims and Early Challenges

Drake's circumnavigation was a complex undertaking with multiple objectives. The expedition aimed to plunder Spanish colonies in the Pacific, generate profits for investors, explore and claim new lands for Queen Elizabeth I, and establish better trade routes and new markets. These goals reflect the intertwining of economic, political, and exploratory motives that characterized Elizabethan exploration.

The voyage was partly motivated by revenge. Drake had previously accompanied John Hawkins on a trans-Atlantic slaving expedition that ended in disaster at San Juan de Ulúa. This experience fueled Drake's determination to strike back at Spanish interests.

Highlight: Officially presented as a privateering expedition to Egypt, the true intent was for Drake to sail around South America, search for the fabled Southern Continent, and attack the undefended Pacific coastline of Spanish territories.

Drake's fleet faced early challenges, including crew disputes and the need to maintain secrecy about their true destination. A significant event occurred at Port St. Julian in Argentina, where Drake put his friend Sir Thomas Doughty on trial for mutiny and executed him, demonstrating the harsh realities of maintaining discipline on such a perilous voyage.

Example: Drake renamed his flagship the Golden Hind, symbolizing official backing from Queen Elizabeth I, as it was the badge of her favorite, Sir Christopher Hatton.

The expedition encountered severe weather conditions in the Pacific, with 52 days of hurricane winds and mountainous seas. This treacherous passage, now known as Drake Passage, claimed one of Drake's ships and forced another to turn back, highlighting the extreme dangers faced by early explorers.

Can't find what you're looking for? Explore other subjects.

Knowunity is the #1 education app in five European countries

Knowunity has been named a featured story on Apple and has regularly topped the app store charts in the education category in Germany, Italy, Poland, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. Join Knowunity today and help millions of students around the world.

Ranked #1 Education App

Download in

Google Play

Download in

App Store

Knowunity is the #1 education app in five European countries

4.9+

Average app rating

20 M

Pupils love Knowunity

#1

In education app charts in 17 countries

950 K+

Students have uploaded notes

Still not convinced? See what other students are saying...

iOS User

I love this app so much, I also use it daily. I recommend Knowunity to everyone!!! I went from a D to an A with it :D

Philip, iOS User

The app is very simple and well designed. So far I have always found everything I was looking for :D

Lena, iOS user

I love this app ❤️ I actually use it every time I study.