Hawkins and Drake (AQA GCSE History): Revision Notes
Hawkins and Drake
Introduction
John Hawkins and Francis Drake were two of the most significant English sailors during Elizabeth I's reign. Both men played crucial roles in England's development as a maritime power through exploration, trade expansion, and conflicts with Spanish interests. Their activities helped establish England's presence in global trade networks and marked the beginning of English involvement in both the slave trade and systematic privateering against Spanish ships.
John Hawkins (1532-1595)
England's first slave trader
John Hawkins holds the unfortunate distinction of being England's first slave trader, establishing a pattern that would continue for centuries. His approach to this horrific trade was both systematic and brutal, involving the kidnapping of approximately 400 West Africans who were then transported across the Atlantic under appalling conditions.
The human suffering caused by Hawkins' slave trading activities cannot be overstated. Entire families were torn apart, communities were destroyed, and countless individuals died during the brutal Atlantic crossing known as the Middle Passage.
The triangular trade system
Hawkins developed what became known as the triangular trade - a profitable but morally reprehensible system connecting West Africa, the West Indies, and England. This trade route allowed merchants to maximise profits at each stage: kidnapping people in Africa, selling them as slaves in the Caribbean, and returning to England with sugar and tobacco produced by enslaved labour on plantations.
The triangular trade became the foundation of England's colonial economy for centuries to come. Each leg of the journey generated profits: manufactured goods were traded for enslaved people in Africa, enslaved people were sold for raw materials in the Americas, and raw materials were processed and sold in Europe.
Voyages and methods (1562-1567)
Between 1562 and 1567, Hawkins undertook three major voyages to West Africa alongside his cousin Francis Drake. During these expeditions, they captured between 1,200 and 1,400 Africans through violent raids on villages. Tragically, many Africans died during the horrific Atlantic crossing due to the terrible conditions aboard the ships, packed into cramped, unsanitary spaces with inadequate food and water.
Impact and consequences
The human cost of Hawkins' activities was enormous. Entire African communities were devastated, families were torn apart, and countless individuals lost their lives either during capture or the brutal voyage across the Atlantic. Despite the immense human suffering caused, Hawkins showed no shame about his role in this trade, even incorporating imagery of enslaved people into his coat of arms.
Hawkins' lack of remorse was demonstrated when he included a bound African figure in his family coat of arms, treating human trafficking as something to be proud of rather than ashamed of.
Francis Drake (c1540-1596)
Multiple roles and achievements
Francis Drake was a remarkably versatile figure who served as a sea captain, privateer, navigator, slave trader, and politician. His diverse skills and bold approach to maritime ventures made him one of the most famous English sailors of the Elizabethan era.
Historic circumnavigation (1577-1580)
Drake's most celebrated achievement was completing the second circumnavigation of the world, a journey that took three years from 1577 to 1580. This remarkable feat demonstrated English naval capabilities and brought Drake international fame. The voyage also proved that English ships could successfully navigate global trade routes previously dominated by Spanish and Portuguese vessels.
Drake's circumnavigation was only the second in history, following Ferdinand Magellan's expedition (completed by Juan Sebastián Elcano) nearly 60 years earlier. This achievement placed England among the elite maritime nations of the world.
Privateering and piracy
Drake pioneered systematic privateering along the western coast of the Americas, an area that had previously been free from such attacks. As a privateer, he operated with government backing to attack Spanish ships and settlements, essentially conducting state-sponsored piracy that enriched both himself and the English crown while weakening Spanish power in the region.
Why voyages of exploration increased during Elizabethan times
Economic motivations
English merchants desperately needed new trading opportunities because traditional trade routes had been disrupted by conflicts, particularly the war with Spain and problems in the Netherlands that had damaged the profitable wool and cloth trades. Exploration offered the possibility of discovering new markets and sources of wealth.
The disruption of traditional European trade routes forced English merchants to look beyond familiar markets. The conflict with Spain had closed off many established trading relationships, making exploration not just an opportunity but an economic necessity.
Technological advances
The development of improved navigational instruments, including better compasses and astrolabes, made long-distance voyages safer and more precise. Additionally, advancements in ship design created vessels with larger sails that were faster, more manoeuvrable, and capable of carrying greater supplies for extended journeys.
Private investment opportunities
Wealthy individuals and companies, including Elizabeth I herself and her courtiers, provided funding for voyages of discovery. Although these expeditions carried significant risks, the potential rewards were enormous, encouraging continued investment in exploration ventures.
Adventure and ambition
The period saw a surge in young Elizabethan men seeking adventure and fortune through exploration. Published accounts of voyages, though often inaccurate, captured public imagination and persuaded many to venture into unknown territories believing they could make their fortunes.
The popularity of travel narratives and adventure stories during this period helped romanticise exploration, encouraging more young men to seek their fortunes at sea despite the very real dangers involved.
Territorial expansion
The concept of colonisation - settling in and taking control of foreign territories - became increasingly attractive as a way to expand English influence and create new sources of wealth and strategic advantage against rival European powers.
Timeline of major events
- 1532: John Hawkins born
- c1540: Francis Drake born
- 1562: Hawkins begins first slave trading voyage
- 1562-1567: Hawkins and Drake complete three voyages to West Africa, enslaving 1,200-1,400 people
- 1569: Mercator Map published, improving navigation
- 1577: Drake begins circumnavigation of the world
- 1580: Drake completes circumnavigation
- 1595: John Hawkins dies
- 1596: Francis Drake dies
Key Points to Remember:
-
Hawkins established England's involvement in the slave trade, creating the triangular trade system that connected Africa, the Caribbean, and England through the trafficking of human beings
-
Drake completed the second circumnavigation of the world (1577-1580), demonstrating English naval capabilities and opening new possibilities for global trade and exploration
-
Both men contributed to English maritime power through their voyages, though their legacy is forever tainted by their participation in the slave trade and attacks on Spanish territories
-
Multiple factors drove Elizabethan exploration, including economic necessity, technological improvements, private investment, adventure-seeking, and desires for territorial expansion
-
Their activities had lasting consequences, establishing patterns of English involvement in both global trade and the exploitation of enslaved peoples that would continue for centuries