Consequences of Drake’s circumnavigation of the world

• Reputation:

  > Drake became the first to complete circumnavigation of the world and return. The Queen knighted him on his ship, the Golden Hinde.
• Reputation:

  > He gave gifts to influential people at court including the Chancellor as gaining their respect was important to Drake. Lord Burghley rejected a gift of ten gold bars saying that he would not receive stolen goods.
• Reputation:

  > He was known as El Draque (The Dragon) by the Spanish who portrayed him as a fire breathing dragon who was in league with the devil.
• Economic Resources:

  > Drake looted the Spanish treasure ship, taking 36kg of gold, 26 tons of silver and 13 chests of jewels. This was worth £480 million in today’s money and took 6 days to load onto the Golden Hinde.
• Economic Resources:

  > In Indonesia, Drake bought 6 tons of cloves and other spices. He also negotiated a trade deal with the local Sultan.
• Foreign Relations:

  > Drake launched many raids on Spanish settlements along the Pacific coast, burning their churches, threatening priests and torturing captives.
• Foreign Relations:

  > Following Drake’s return to England, King Philip II of Spain and the Spanish ambassador Bernardino de Mendoza demanded that he be punished and all stolen goods returned to Spain. Instead, Elizabeth celebrated Drake’s voyage as a success and knighted him on board the Golden Hinde. This worsened England’s relations with the Spanish.
• Developments:

  > Drake’s journal of the voyage included illustrations and maps (rutters). It held information about currents, water depth, and dangers such as hidden reefs. One of Drake’s prisoners, Francisco de Zarata, wrote that these were so accurate that ‘no one who uses them as a guide can possibly go astray’.
• Developments:

  > Drake corrected errors on existing European maps, including making a more accurate plan of the coast of Chile than was shown on Spanish charts of South America.
• Empire Building:

  > He was also the first European to explore land on the far north-west coast of the Americas, which he named ‘Nova Albion’.
• Empire Building:

  > In 1572, he captured the port of Nombre de Dios (a drop-off point for silver and gold brought from Peru).
• Influence on other individuals:

  > The records Drake kept of his voyage were shared. This led to more explorations and new trade links established further away including China and India.
• Influence on other individuals:

  > 1581: Frobisher was put in charge of another return voyage that included men from Drake’s voyage, including John Drake. Frobisher aimed to discover China and Cathay so England could establish direct trade with them.
• Influence on other individuals:

  > 1586: Thomas Cavendish begins his own circumnavigation, which he completes in 1588. This was directly inspired by Drake.
• Relationship with natives:

  > In North-West America, Drake and his crew were welcomed by the native Miwok people.
• Relationship with natives:

  > Diego was a valued member of his crew (Diego previously had been enslaved by the Spanish). Diego’s knowledge and connections with the Cimarrons proved invaluable for Drake as he was able to build good relations with them against the Spanish.