Magellan's Circumnavigation

Definition

Magellan's Circumnavigation refers to the first successful voyage around the world, completed by the expedition led by Ferdinand Magellan between 1519 and 1522. This monumental journey proved the vastness of the Earth and established new trade routes, greatly impacting global exploration during the Age of Exploration.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Magellan's expedition set sail from Spain on September 20, 1519, with five ships and around 270 men, though only one ship, the Victoria, completed the journey.
2. During the voyage, Magellan discovered the Strait of Magellan at the southern tip of South America, providing a navigable route between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.
3. The circumnavigation took almost three years to complete, with the expedition returning to Spain on September 6, 1522.
4. Magellan himself was killed in the Philippines in 1521 during a conflict with local tribes before he could complete the journey.
5. The successful completion of this voyage demonstrated the feasibility of global circumnavigation and had lasting implications for trade and exploration across Europe and Asia.

Review Questions

• How did Magellan's Circumnavigation alter European perceptions of geography and navigation?
  • Magellan's Circumnavigation dramatically changed European understandings of geography by demonstrating that it was possible to sail around the world. The expedition revealed the vastness of Earth's oceans and highlighted the existence of new territories previously unknown to Europeans. This newfound knowledge expanded European maps and encouraged further exploration as navigators sought to uncover additional routes and lands beyond what they had previously understood.
• Evaluate the economic impact of Magellan's Circumnavigation on European trade networks.
  • The successful completion of Magellan's Circumnavigation had significant economic implications for European trade networks. By proving that a westward route to Asia was possible, it opened up new avenues for the spice trade, which was a primary motivator for exploration. The establishment of direct sea routes allowed for quicker access to valuable goods from Asia, leading to increased competition among European powers and ultimately reshaping global trade dynamics during this period.
• Analyze how Magellan's Circumnavigation influenced future explorations and colonial endeavors by European powers.
  • Magellan's Circumnavigation set a precedent for future explorations as it demonstrated the possibilities of global navigation and established significant trade routes. Following this expedition, European powers like Spain and Portugal intensified their colonial efforts, motivated by both economic gain and national prestige. The knowledge gained from this journey spurred other explorers such as Francis Drake and Henry Hudson to embark on voyages that further expanded Europe's influence worldwide, leading to an era marked by intense rivalry over new territories and resources.

Related terms

Ferdinand Magellan:

A Portuguese explorer who led the first expedition to successfully sail around the world, although he did not survive to complete the journey.

Spice Trade: The lucrative trade of spices from Asia, which was a primary motivation for European exploration and colonization during the 15th and 16th centuries.

Treaty of Tordesillas:

An agreement between Spain and Portugal, established in 1494, that divided newly discovered lands outside Europe between the two countries along a meridian.