Voyages and trade in Elizabethan England

Who were key explorers?

Francis Drake, John Hawkins and Walter Raleigh

Why did more exploration take place in Elizabethan England?

There were advancements in navigation, opening new trade routes with countries around the world

Which countries started exploring before England?

Spain and Portugal started exploring and growing their empires 100 years before Britain did

How did trade improve?

New direct routes were opened to India and the Far East, so spices, silks, perfumes and tea was brought back from here to the English court

Why was trading over the sea better?

It allowed fewer taxes to be paid so goods were cheaper - by sea, trade bypassed the taxes of Turkey that had to be paid over land, and ships could also carry more goods

Who were privateers?

Elizabeth granted 100 licenses to privateers every year, which allowed them to raid Spanish ships and ports to gain gold for England. Privateers carried guns and cannons with them to enable this

Who was Francis Drake?

An anti-Spanish Puritan who first set out to sea in 1566 in a slave trading ship but was attacked on this voyage by Spanish ships at San Juan de Ulna, leading to a desire for revenge. He circumnavigated the globe in 1577-1580 and launches many successful attacks on the Spanish empire, enabling him to bring back gold, silver and jewels, making a huge profit. He also made valuable trading contacts with those who lived in the Spice Islands and was later knighted and made an admiral

Who was John Hawkins?

Cousin to Francis Drake and a navigator and slave trader. During the 1560s, he made three voyages to capture Africans and sell them into slavery, but afterwards designed and built ships for the navy and became vice-admiral when fighting against the Spanish Armada. He developed a lighter, faster galleon (type of ship) which was better equipped to withstand the harsh weather conditions and was more manoeuvrable than Spanish ships, helping England defeat the Armada

Who was Walter Raleigh?

A famous sailor, explorer and privateer who established several colonies in North America - this was thought to have a huge supply of wine, oil, sugar and flax which could help to reduce England’s dependence on Europe for trade. However, he was imprisoned in the Tower of London for a month for marrying one of Elizabeth’s ladies in waiting but was released in August 1592 to lead a successful attack against the Spanish and he later became an MP

How did England benefit from trade and exploration?

They gained wealth and power

How did England gain in wealth?

Privateers raided Spanish ships and ports as well as taking part in the huge trade of enslaved humans headed by Hawkins

How did Spain and Portugal benefit from trade?

They made huge amounts of money from trading spices and finding gold in South America

How did England increase in power due to trade?

English naval power was growing under Elizabeth, and it was clear that Elizabeth could ensure the protection of England in any sea battle from the evidence of the victory over the Spanish Armada. It was also able to exert its influence over many weaker countries