Exploration and Discovery Flashcards
How did new technology aid English exploration?
- Until the 15th century, most European sailors relied on coastal features to navigate,
making it impossible to cross oceans. The Portuguese and Spanish developed more
advanced techniques, e.g. using the stars and the sun to navigate using a special
instrument called a SEA ASTROLOBE (learnt by English) - In 1561, “The Art of Navigation” by Martin Cortes (Spanish) was translated into English.
This gave English sailors detailed information about how to navigate across the Atlantic
using a sea astrolobe - From the 1570s, the English began to use log and line, which helped them to estimate
speed more accurately. - In the 1590s, John Davis (English navigator) invented the BACKSTAFF, which was
easier to use and more accurate than the sea astrolobe - The English ships had triangular ships made from lateen, allowing them to travel
much faster - Improvements in map making, making maps and naval charts more reliable and
detailed - guns installed in ships allowing them to defend against attack
How did English rivalry with Spain encourage exploration?
- During 1550s, English international trade was dominated by exports of woollen cloth to
Europe, most through Antwerp, which was controlled by the Spanish. As relations
between England and Spain worsened, it became more difficult for English merchants
to trade freely through Antwerp - Encouraged English merchants to vary their international trade. Some looked for new
routes in England, trading with German towns or through the Baltic. Others looked
towards the Americas and Asia - As rivalry with Spain grew, Elizabeth realised that England needed to compete with
Spain globally, and not just in Europe, encouraging English merchants to get involved in
long distance trade and privateering
Describe how Elizabeth used monopolies to encourage exploration
Elizabeth granted some merchants monopolies, which gave them exclusive rights to trade in a particular part of the world. E.g. in 1577 she gave a group of English merchants called the SPANISH COMPANY a monopoly over English trade with Spanish colonies. In 1600 she gave the EAST INDIA COMPANY a monopoly over trade with Asia
Describe how economic opportunities encouraged exploration
- Spanish trade with its colonies in America was highly profitable, the wealth of the
region also attracted English sailors who hoped to get rich by trading illegally with
Spain’s colonies and raiding Spanish ships and settlements - English merchants were keen to develop trade with Asia for luxuries such as silk or spices, from the 1570s, English explorers began to look for new routes to bypass Venetian middlemen, who traditionally dominated trade in Asian luxuries.
- In 1591, James Lancaster sailed to India around the Cape of Good Hope (southern tip of
Africa). Following Lancaster’s success, the EAST INDIA COMPANY was established in
1600 to trade with Asia. It sponsored successful trading expeditions in 1601 and 1604
Name 3 trading companies, when they were founded, what they traded and who they traded with
- Eastland Company (1581), traded timber, tar and canvas with the Baltic
- Levant company (1581), traded dyes, dried fruit, wine and silk with the Eastern
Mediterranean - East India Company (1600), traded silk, cotton, spices and tea with India and the far East
How long was Francis Drake’s circumnavigation?
Between 1577 and 1580
Describe the attempted colonisation of Roanoke
- In 1584, Walter Raleigh sent a fact finding mission to North America. The fleet landed on
Roanoke island, explored the area and returned to England with two natives, who gave
a glowing report of the region. - Raleigh then sent a second expedition the following year (19th April) led by Sir Richard
Grenville - 108 settlers stayed to establish a permanent colony, while Grenville went back to
England for supplies - When Drake visited Roanoke in 1586, Grenville hadn’t returned and the settlers were
low on supplies. Most settlers returned to England with Drake, and a small group of
men were left to maintain the colony - Ralph lane enthused about the virtues of Chesapeake bay
underneath is v wrong
- A third expedition reached Roanoke in 1587 and found it deserted (Thought that the men who stayed were killed off)
Explain why poor planning led to failure in Roanoke
- Of Raleigh’s 300 desired colonists, only 107 managed to be recruited, half of which were soldiers, and motivated by money and fortune, having unrealistic expectations of what it would take to set up a colony
- The second expedition to Virginia set out in April 1585, which was too late to plant crops that would be required to survive the winter.
- Colonists put all their supplies on the Tiger ship, which was damaged by seawater upon arrival, and sank. This spoilt food supplies and there weren’t enough to go round, so the first colony was abandoned.
Seawater had also spoiled the gunpowder needed to shoot/hunt game like pigeon and deer, so the winter had to be dedicated to foraging for food. This meant that many supplies had to be rationed, and the colonists became dependant on the natives for supplies
- Lack of supplies meant that the colonists had to forage for food (look for nuts and berries etc). Soldiers and rich colonists refused, as they were promised glory and fortunes, while farmers and poorer weren’t prepared to work for the richer colonists, leading to discord within their community
- they left england too late in the season to reach Roanoke in time to plant their crops
Describe how poor leadership contributed to failure in Virginia
- Richard Grenville was an experienced soldier and sailor, however had a hot temper:
He burnt down an entire native village (Aquascogo) due to a minor altercation over a
stolen silver cup, and then left to return for England - The colonists had limited supplies, no leader, and a poor relationship with the natives
- Ralph Lane decided to attack the native Americans, and specifically the chief of the
local Aquascogo tribe - Chief Wingina. Wingina was captured and executed. This turned
all of the southern Virginian tribes against the colonists, who were chased off the island.
(left only 3 people) - Grenville also didnt get along with the governor of the colony Ralph Lane, and this led to the colonist receiving little or contradictory instruction, which made establishment of the camp difficult
- colonists lacked physical strength needed for manual labour
Who were the leaders of the first expedition to Roanoke?
Richard Grenville and Ralph Lane
Who was the leader of the second expedition to Virginia?
John White
Describe the second attempted colonisation of Virginia
- In 1587, John White led an expedition to colonise Virginia
- John White was an artist, with no experience of exploration (beyond first expedition)
- Made the same mistake of setting out too late
- Aimed to land at Chesapeake bay, however arguments while sailing caused ship to land
at Roanoke - Bad relationship between natives and colonists, however the Croatoan tribe, who were
willing to aid the colonists - However there was a case of mistaken identity, where the colonists attacked the
Croatoans as they mistook them for other hostile natives, which soured relations
How did the mercator map improve exploration
It was created in 1569 and was the 1st to standardise the north at the top and south at the bottom. This made maps much easier to read and by combining them with other navigational tools. It was now becoming quicker and safer to travel the Atlantic Ocean
How did adventure increase exploration
- Drake and those undertook what sounded like exciting adventures and others wanted follow them
- Drakes work had been published (completely inaccurately) in a pamphlet and this encouraged others to follow in his path
- Adding to this list for adventure was the promise of treasure and possible fortunes to be made, a heady combination for a young poor man
how did trade increase exploration
- English traders were looking for new opportunities, and the new world provided them
- John Hawkins, an English sea captain with a family history of exploration, began the trade of weapons for slaves in Africa. he began to sail to west africa and trade iron goods including guns for people, who he then transported to the Americas to be traded for sugar, spices and tobacco, which in turn were traded back in England for huge sums
- Seeing hawkins success, many wouldve wanted to follow his example
