Pearson Edexcel · GCSE · History
Course version: 1HI0 · Version from Sept 2016
Key topic 3: Elizabethan society in the Age of Exploration, 1558–88 - 3…
Full specification wording
Option B4: Key topic 3: Elizabethan society in the Age of Exploration, 1558–88 - 3 Exploration and voyages of discovery: The reasons for, and significance of, Drake’s circumnavigation of the globe.
Francis Drake’s circumnavigation of the globe (1577–1580) was motivated by financial gain and geopolitical strategy.
Checked against the Pearson Edexcel 1HI0 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 2 of 2
- 4 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
Francis Drake’s circumnavigation of the globe (1577–1580) was motivated by financial gain and geopolitical strategy. His primary reasons included raiding Spanish colonies in the Americas for plunder, seeking revenge for the Spanish attack at San Juan de Ulúa, and establishing new trade routes. Secretly supported by Queen Elizabeth, the voyage held immense significance. Drake became the first Englishman to circumnavigate the world, significantly boosting national prestige. He claimed a region of North America as Nova Albion and returned with a vast cargo of Spanish treasure, which helped clear the English national debt. His subsequent knighthood by Elizabeth angered King Philip II, accelerating the deterioration of Anglo-Spanish relations.
What earns the marks
- Identify financial profit and the plundering of Spanish treasure as primary motivations for Drake's voyage.
- Explain the geopolitical context, including Drake's desire for revenge after San Juan de Ulúa and Elizabeth's secret backing.
- Describe the significance of Drake claiming Nova Albion for England, establishing an early presence in North America.
- Evaluate the economic impact of the voyage, noting that the captured treasure helped clear the English national debt.
- Analyse the diplomatic consequences of the circumnavigation and Drake's knighthood on Anglo-Spanish relations.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Claiming that Drake set out with the primary intention of circumnavigating the globe.
Put it right by explaining that his main goal was to raid Spanish colonies, and the circumnavigation was a result of his route home.
Stating that Elizabeth openly supported Drake's piracy from the start.
Put it right by noting her support was initially secret to avoid immediate war with Spain.
Believing that Drake discovered America.
Put it right by stating he claimed a specific region (Nova Albion) for England, but the Americas were already known and colonised by Spain.
Exam tips
- Clearly separate the reasons for the voyage from its significance to ensure you answer both parts of a potential question.
- Use the capture of the Spanish treasure ship the Cacafuego as a specific example of the financial success of the voyage.
- Emphasise the diplomatic fallout, particularly how Drake's knighthood by Elizabeth I was viewed as a direct insult by Philip II of Spain.
Try the lesson
The start of the Option B4: Key topic 3: Elizabethan society in the Age of Exploration, 1558–88 - 3 Exploration and voyages of discovery: The reasons for, and significance of, Drake’s circumnavigation of the globe. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
What was one of the primary original reasons for Francis Drake’s voyage that became a circumnavigation?
Listen
Francis Drake’s circumnavigation of the globe (1577–1580) was motivated by financial gain and geopolitical strategy. His primary reasons included raiding Spanish colonies in the Americas for plunder, seeking revenge for the Spanish attack at San Juan de Ulúa, and establishing new trade routes. Secretly supported by Queen Elizabeth, the voyage held immense significance. Drake became the first Englishman to circumnavigate the world, significantly boosting national prestige. He claimed a region of North America as Nova Albion and returned with a vast cargo of Spanish treasure, which helped clear the English national debt. His subsequent knighthood by Elizabeth angered King Philip II, accelerating the deterioration of Anglo-Spanish relations. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Identify financial profit and the plundering of Spanish treasure as primary motivations for Drake's voyage. Explain the geopolitical context, including Drake's desire for revenge after San Juan de Ulúa and Elizabeth's secret backing. Describe the significance of Drake claiming Nova Albion for England, establishing an early presence in North America. Evaluate the economic impact of the voyage, noting that the captured treasure helped clear the English national debt. A common slip: Claiming that Drake set out with the primary intention of circumnavigating the globe. Instead, explaining that his main goal was to raid Spanish colonies, and the circumnavigation was a result of his route home. Exam tip: Clearly separate the reasons for the voyage from its significance to ensure you answer both parts of a potential question.
See it
Key words
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Anglo-Spanish rivalry
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Privateering and piracy
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National prestige
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Imperial ambition
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See every definition
- Anglo-Spanish rivalry
- The deterioration of relations between England and Spain, which Drake's knighthood by Elizabeth angered King Philip II and accelerated.
- Privateering and piracy
- Raiding Spanish colonies in the Americas for plunder, which was a primary motivation for Drake's voyage and was secretly supported by Queen Elizabeth.
- National prestige
- The standing of England, which was significantly boosted because Drake became the first Englishman to circumnavigate the world.
- Imperial ambition
- Establishing an early English presence in North America, shown by Drake claiming a region of North America as Nova Albion.
Label the diagram
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1Box 1
2Box 2
3Box 3
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