Drake's Circumnavigation of the globe

• Drakes circumnavigation of the globe took place between December 1577 and September 1580
• Drakes main intentions were to attack Spanish ships in the Atlantic to undermine their authority
• The Spanish had attacked Drakes fleet at St Juan de Ulua and his men were killed. He wanted to take revenge through his circumnavigation
• People such as Elizabeth I invested into the exploration, as she wanted to improve royal finances
• Drakes voyage allowed England to claim a large amount of North America. This bought greater tensions with the pope, as he had awarded North American to Spain.
• The knighting of Drake on the Golden Hind by Elizabeth was the final insult which made war inevitable
• Drakes voyage allowed England to start trading with China and India
• Although 5 of Drakes ships sank, the Golden Hind having survived increased Englands reputation as a seafaring nation
• Stage 1: Sailing to Brazil

  • Drake captured a Portuguese ship and a cargo of wine
  • Some quarrels between crew members
• Stage 2: Brazil to Guatulco

  • Discovered geography of the bottom of South America
  • The merigold sank and the Elizabeth was lost
  • Had to execute his friend Doughty with mutiny
• Stage 3: South America to Plymouth

  • Claimed the New Albion for Queen Elizabeth
  • Natives of California thought Drake was a God and offered him tobacco
  • Had to throw some earnings off board to reduce weight when boat got stuck