Circumnavigation, 1577-1580 (AQA GCSE History): Revision Notes
Drake's circumnavigation, 1577-1580
Introduction
Between December 1577 and September 1580, the English sailor Francis Drake achieved something remarkable - he sailed completely around the entire world. This incredible journey took nearly three years to complete and made Drake the first Englishman to circumnavigate the globe. When he returned, Queen Elizabeth I was so impressed that she knighted him, and he became known as Sir Francis Drake.
It's important to remember that Drake wasn't actually the first person to sail around the world. That honour belonged to Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan, who had completed the first circumnavigation between 1519 and 1522, almost 60 years earlier.
Drake's achievement came during a period of growing tension between England and Spain, when England was beginning to challenge Spanish dominance of the seas and overseas territories.
Why did Drake decide to sail around the world?
Drake's decision to circumnavigate the globe wasn't just about exploration - he had three main reasons that were closely connected to England's relationship with Spain:
Attacking Spain
Drake's primary goal wasn't simply to sail around the world for the sake of it. Instead, he wanted to attack Spanish colonies in the Pacific Ocean. At this time, relations between England and Spain were becoming increasingly tense, and Drake saw an opportunity to strike at Spanish interests in their overseas territories.
Seeking revenge
The Spanish had previously attacked Drake's fleet at a place called St Juan de Ulúa, and most of his men had been killed in this attack. Drake was motivated by a desire for revenge against the Spanish for this earlier defeat.
Making profit
There were enormous profits to be made from the journey. The possibility of capturing Spanish treasure, establishing new trade routes, and discovering valuable resources meant that many people, including Queen Elizabeth I herself, were willing to invest money in Drake's expedition.
The combination of political, personal, and economic motivations made Drake's voyage particularly appealing to English investors and the crown, as it promised to serve multiple national interests simultaneously.
The journey itself
Drake's voyage took him through some of the most dangerous and unexplored waters of the time. His ship was called the Golden Hind, and the journey was filled with incredible challenges. The route took Drake through the Atlantic Ocean, around the southern tip of South America, up the Pacific coast, and then across the Pacific and Indian Oceans before returning to England.
During his journey, Drake established English claims to new territories. Most notably, he claimed an area near San Francisco called Nova Albion, declaring it English territory with Elizabeth as its queen. This encouraged further English trade and exploration, particularly to the New World, where colonies would later be established in New England during the late 16th and early 17th centuries.
Drake's Territorial Claim: Nova Albion (1579)
When Drake reached the coast of present-day California, he followed the formal process of claiming territory:
Step 1: He landed near modern-day San Francisco Bay
Step 2: He erected a brass plate declaring the land English territory
Step 3: He named the territory "Nova Albion" (New England)
Step 4: He declared Queen Elizabeth I as the rightful sovereign
This claim represented England's first attempt to establish territory on the Pacific coast of North America.
The benefits of Drake's circumnavigation
Drake's successful voyage brought several important advantages to England:
Boosting England's naval reputation
Even though only one of Drake's ships (the Golden Hind) survived the complete journey, the fact that Drake had overcome seemingly impossible difficulties in sailing around the globe greatly enhanced England's reputation as a seafaring nation. This showed other European powers that England was becoming a serious naval force.
Increasing England's naval power
The success of the voyage demonstrated that England could defend itself against invasion and protect its growing trading interests. This was crucial as England was developing into a major European power and needed to be able to compete with established naval powers like Spain.
Expanding trading opportunities
Drake's voyage opened up new possibilities for English trade. Ships began trading in places like China, West Africa, and India, establishing England as a major trading power and creating new sources of wealth for the country.
Challenging Spanish dominance
Drake's achievement showed that Spain was not invincible and that other European nations could successfully challenge Spanish power, particularly in the Americas and Pacific regions.
Boosting royal finances
The expedition generated significant income for both Queen Elizabeth and her government, improving England's financial position and providing resources for further expansion and development.
Key Benefits of Drake's Voyage:
- Enhanced England's international reputation as a naval power
- Demonstrated English capability to challenge Spanish dominance
- Opened new trade routes to Asia and Africa
- Generated substantial wealth for the crown and investors
- Established English territorial claims in the Pacific
Timeline of key events
- December 1577: Drake begins his circumnavigation voyage
- 1578-1579: Drake sails through the Strait of Magellan and attacks Spanish colonies along the Pacific coast
- 1579: Drake claims Nova Albion (near modern-day San Francisco) for England
- 1579-1580: Drake crosses the Pacific Ocean and sails through the Indian Ocean
- September 1580: Drake returns to England, completing his circumnavigation
- 1580: Queen Elizabeth I knights Drake for his achievement
The nearly three-year duration of this voyage demonstrates the incredible challenges of 16th-century ocean travel, when ships had to rely entirely on wind power and basic navigation instruments.
Historical significance
Drake's circumnavigation marked a turning point in England's development as a global power. It demonstrated that England could compete with established European powers like Spain and Portugal in terms of both naval capability and overseas expansion. The voyage also contributed to the growing tension between England and Spain that would eventually lead to the Spanish Armada's attempted invasion of England in 1588.
The success of the voyage encouraged other English explorers and helped establish the foundation for England's later colonial empire. It showed that profitable and strategically important expeditions were possible, leading to increased investment in further voyages of exploration and trade.
Drake's circumnavigation can be seen as one of the key events that transformed England from a relatively minor European power into a major global empire, setting the stage for centuries of English naval dominance.
Key Points to Remember:
- Drake's circumnavigation lasted from December 1577 to September 1580, taking almost three years to complete
- The voyage had three main purposes: attacking Spanish colonies, seeking revenge for previous defeats, and making profit through trade and treasure
- Drake's success greatly enhanced England's reputation as a naval power and opened up new trading opportunities in Asia and Africa
- The expedition generated significant wealth for Queen Elizabeth I and the English government, helping to fund further expansion
- Drake became the first Englishman to sail around the world, though Ferdinand Magellan had completed the first circumnavigation 60 years earlier (1519-1522)