The Diary of Captain Scott Context Flashcards
Who was Captain Scott and why was he famous?
An accomplished British Royal Navy officer and explorer who led two expeditions to the Antarctic. He was the first British explorer to reach the South Pole and explore Antarctica extensively by land in the early 1900s.
When was he appointed to lead expedition to South Pole?
1899
When did he start out on the Terra Nova expedition?
June 1910
What were the aims of the Terra Nova expedition?
To be the first to reach the south, as well as aims for scientific, naturalistic, and meteorological discoveries.
How many men were involved in the expedition to the South Pole?
5
When did the explorers arrive at the South Pole and how long did it take?
17th January 1912- took 19 months and 3 weeks.
What did they find when they reached the South Pole?
A Norwegian explorer, Roald Amundsen, had beat him to it (arriving 4 weeks earlier).
What 3 problems did they encounter on the return journey?
- This year had one of the worst weather conditions- low temp, high winds etc.
- They suffered from frostbite and hypothermia due to the weather conditions.
- Their supplies also ran out, including food and water.
How many of the explorers survived?
3
How do we know about the details of the trip?
His journal.
What kind of impression do you have of Scott and his team?
They were highly resilient and determined to be the first, but once it was discovered they were not the first (as well as the weather conditions) the journey home was too much.
Was the expedition popular?
Yes, in the century films, documentaries, etc. have been made.
Longest unsupported ____ journey in history.
polar
When did he die?
26 May 1703- He ended up passing nearing the end of the second expedition.
What were the views on the expedition?
Initially he was celebrated as iconic British hero but later people questioned his abilities as leader. Recent contemporary views more balanced, focusing on the wider context of his expeditions.
