Elizabethan society in the Age of Exploration 1558-88: Exploration and discovery

Question 1

Expanding trade as a reason for exploration

Answer 1

• trade expanding quickly in New World
• English merchants needed new trading opportunities, since war with Spain and in Netherlands damaged wool and cloth trades
• vital to find new markets and new products to sell

Question 2

Adventure as a reason for exploration

Answer 2

• Some young men, such as Francis Drake, undertook voyages of discovery and exploration
• Published accounts of voyages, often inaccurate, persuaded others to venture into unkown in belief that treasures and riches could be found and fortunes made

Question 3

New technology as a reason for exploration

Answer 3

Navigation increasingly precise. development of nautical devices, such as quadrants and astrolabes, made voyages safer, direct and faster, leading to more exploration and trade

Question 4

Development of standardised maps as a reason for exploration

Answer 4

standardised maps such as the Mercator map 1569, gave sailors and traders greater confidence they were going the right direction, reducing risk and encouraging further voyages

Question 5

The triangular trade as a reason for exploration

Answer 5

• trader and explorer John Hawkins discovered iron goods and guns could be sold West Africa to buy slaves, could be sold in New World in exchange for rum, spices, and tobacco, which could be sold in Europe
• Other Merchants and traders across England copied lucrative triangular trade

Question 6

Improvements in ship design as a reason for exploration

Answer 6

• Ships or galleons had bigger sails, faster and more manoeuvrable, also possessing greater firepower to protect from pirates
• also more stable and could take more supplies, encouraging longer voyages and exploration

Question 7

Private investment as a reason for exploration

Answer 7

• Private investors, including Elizabeth and her courtiers funded many voyages of discovery
• though it was risky, rewards could be huge
• increased incomes of crown and nobility

Question 8

Reasons for Drake’s circumnavigation of the globe

Answer 8

• Attacking Spain- Drake didn’t aim to sail around the world. main purpose was to raid Spanish colonies in Pacific, due to declining relations with Spain
• Revenge- Spanish attacked Drake’s fleet at St Juan de Ulúa and most of his men killed
• Profit- Loot, booty, and trade meant huge profits to be made from Drake’s proposed journey to Americas and beyond, people willing to invest in expedition, including Elizabeth

Question 9

Significance of Drake’s circumnavigation of the globe

Answer 9

• Despite only 1 of 5 ships survived (The Golden Hind) England’s reputation as a sea faring power increased
• England increasingly saw her navy as best means of defence, protecting and extending trade interests
• Declining relations with Spain Drake’s voyage meant England claimed right to rule much of North America. Brought England in conflict with pope, awarded North America to Spain, and with Spain itself. For Phillip II Drake’s knighting on the Golden Hind was the first insult making war inevitable
• English ships began to trade elsewhere: China, West Africa and India
• Drake’s expedition resulted in Nova Albion, area near San Francisco, claimed as English territory encouraging further trade and exploration especially to New Worl where colonies established in New England