Exploration

Causes – Reasons why the Elizabethans became great explorers

The desire for a direct trade route with the East.

The trade links that existed with the East created a great demand for luxury goods such as spices, incense, silks, cottons and perfumes. They were brought into Europe on camel back and could take 2 or 3 years for the goods to reach the Italian trading centres of Genoa and Venice.

When the Ottoman Turks expanded and held power in the Mediterranean, trade was made more difficult as they were Muslim and hostile towards Christian Europe.This meant that they placed high taxes on goods passing through their territory.They also had the ability to block trade between Europe and the East altogether.

The Europeans were keen to develop a sailing route to avoid the Ottoman Empire.

New ideas and new inventions

The age of Renaissance encouraged learning and the spirit of adventure.People were starting to think that the world might be round and it was therefore suggested that perhaps one could sail north around Russia or south around Africa.

The now meant that maps and other literate was more readily available.

The meant that a ship’s position could be accurately tracked and the magnetic compass was developed.

Smaller ships had been designed for exploration and the triangular lateen sail meant that ships could sail whichever way they wanted, regardless of the wind direction.

Achievements of the explorers

The East

1487 – Portuguese navigator Bartholomew Diaz sailed around the southern tip of Africa.
1498 – Another Portuguese explorer followed the same route but went further to eventually reach India

The West

1492 – Christopher Columbus accidentally discovered the New World. He was sponsored by the Spanish monarchy to go west to find a route into India, he found a group of islands which he names the West Indies.
1498 – Amerigo Vespucci, financed by the King of Portugal, explored the east coast of South America. He decided that it was a new land, and not actually the coast of Asia. The word ‘America’ comes from his name.

Between 1519 and 1522 the start circumnavigation around the world was achieved by Ferdinand Magellan who was funded by the Spanish.

During Henry VIII’s rule he focused on building up the navy for military purposes and when Elizabeth became Queen, the Spanish were hostile towards English seamen. In order to trade with Spanish colonies in the New World, a licence had to be granted and they were rarely granted to English sailors. This lead to many English pirates robbing Spanish treasure ships and ports.

Privateers – licensed by Elizabeth’s governments to rob ships which belonged to England’s enemies. The privateers’ ships were privately owned and financed by merchants and even by the Queen herself.

Consequences – how the explorations affected England’s wealth or reputation

New trading companies were created and wealth found

There had been crisis with England’s traditional trading partners and they needed to be able form new connections. For example,

The Muscovy Company traded timbers and furs with Russia.
The Eastland Company traded timber, tar and rope in Scandinavia and the Baltic.
The Levant Company traded currants and dyes in the Mediterranean.
The East India Company traded in the Far East in silks, spices, cotton and tea.
Wealth was found through the trade of African slaves.

Attempts at colonisation

Sir Walter Raleigh led voyages to the Americas and received a royal patent from Elizabeth to establish a colony which he named ‘Virginia’. Unfortunately, his attempt was unsuccessful due to food shortages.

Power

English naval power was a growing force under Elizabeth. It was clear that England could hold its own in any sea battle and was able to exert its influence over many weaker countries.

Famous Explorers

Francis Drake

English hero but the Spanish called him ‘the Dragon’.
He circumnavigated the globe by accident. He had intended to get revenge for the Spanish attacking him at San Juan de Ulua.
When he gave half the gold he gathered to Elizabeth, it was more the royal income of the whole previous year.
Knighted in 1581.
Successfully defeated the Spanish Armada in 1588.

John Hawkins

Responsible for building up the Royal Navy
Respected military leader
Successful privateer
1562 – became involved in the African slave trade.
Believed to be responsible for introducing tobacco to England.

Sir Walter Raleigh

Protestant who struggled to survive the rule of Mary I.
Very loyal to Elizabeth and spent years in Ireland fighting Catholic rebels.
Favourite of the Queen.
Funded an attempt to establish a colony in North America.
His secret marriage to one of the Queen’s ladies in waiting led to a jealous
Elizabeth banishing him from court for 5 years.