Drakes circumnavigation of the globe

• Drake's circumnavigation of the globe took place

  December 1577 - September 1580
• After Drake's circumnavigation, the queen knighted him
• Why did Drake circumnavigate the globe?

  He was attacking Spain
• Drake did not aim to sail around the world. His main purpose was to raid Spanish colonies in the Pacific, as relations with Spain were declining at this time
• The Spanish had attacked Drake's fleet at St Juan de Ulúa


  Most of his men had been killed
• Profit


  Loot, booty and trade meant there were huge profits to be made from Drake's proposed journey to the Americas and beyond, so people were willing to invest in the expedition, including Elizabeth I
• Only one of Drake's five ships, the Golden Mind, survived the voyage
• England's reputation as a sea faring power increased
• Drake's expedition had resulted in Nova Albion, an area near San Francisco, being claimed as English territory with Elizabeth as Its queen
• This encouraged further trade and exploration, especially to the New World, where colonies were established in New England
• England increasingly saw her navy as her best means of defence, protecting and extending her trading interests
• English ships began to trade elsewhere: in China, West Africa and India
• Drake's voyage meant that England claimed the right to rule much of North America
• For Philp II, the brighting of Drake on the Golden Hind by Dizabeth I was the final irout that made war between the two countries inevitable