Elizabethan society in the age of exploration, 1558-88 Flashcards
Which European countries were first to explore the world beyond Europe in the 1400s?
Spain and Portugal – voyages of discovery to Africa, the Americas and Asia. By the time Elizabeth came to the throne, Spain and Portugal had colonies in Americas.
Name two advances in technology which made longer journeys possible
1590s – John Davies invented the backstaff which made navigation easier and more accurate than the sea astrolabe.
From 1570s, the log and line helped sailors estimate their speed with more accuracy.
Ships-building – English built larger and longer ships which were better suited to long ocean voyages because they were faster, more stable and easier to navigate.
How did maps improve?
More detailed and reliable
Name two reasons rivalry with Spain encouraged exploration
Spain made it difficult for English traders to trade freely through Antwerp. This encouraged them to look for new routes into Europe and further afield, especially the Americas and Asia.
Elizabeth realised she needed to compete with Spain globally, not just within Europe.
Name two ways Elizabeth encouraged the development of England’s international trade
Granted some merchants monopolies which gave them exclusive rights to trade in a particular part of the world.
Encouraged privateering and explored opportunities to establish English colonies in the Americas
Give an example of an English monopoly Elizabeth granted
East India Company – given a monopoly on trade with Asia in 1600
Who was John Hawkins?
A slave trader. He traded slaves captured in West Africa in the Caribbean making him very wealthy.
Who was Sir Walter Raleigh?
An English explorer who attempted to develop colonies in modern-day North America.
Name two reasons Elizabeth wanted an English colony in the Americas
POLITICAL: It would challenge Spain’s dominance in the Americas and could be used as a base for attacking Spanish treasure ships
FINANCIAL: A colony would provide opportunities for trade and be a source of raw materials that would make English rich
When did Walter Raleigh go on his fact-finding mission to North America? Where did he land?
1584 / Roanoke Island
What did Raleigh return to England with?
Two Native Americans
When did the first attempt to set up a colony in Virginia?
1585
Who led this first expedition?
Sir Richard Grenville
How many settlers (planters) went on this first expedition?
108
When did the majority of settlers return to England? Why?
- Francis Drake arrived to find planters running low on supplies. Most were unhappy so decided to return.
