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Queen Elizabeth I and the wider world - OCR BImperial ambition, exploration and naval power

Elizabeth's reign was a time of discovery as English ships travelled the world, exploring and trading. Under Elizabeth, England became a great naval power, and sowed the seeds of the British Empire.

Part of HistoryElizabeth I

Imperial ambition, exploration and naval power

In the middle ages, travel was rare. However people still left their countries if they had to, whether it was for work, for war or for pilgrimage; and as sea travel was often dangerous, when people did travel, they went overland.

Luxuries like spices and silk were imported to England from China and India by overland trade routes, which meant that supply relied on foreign merchants.

Then, in the 15th century came the first long sea voyages. These were made possible by:

  • new navigational instruments like the compass
  • fast, light ships that could be manoeuvred to catch the wind
  • the invention of guns
The three reasons sea voyages became possible in the 15th Century

Kings and merchants encouraged these voyages because they wanted a more reliable source of luxury goods 鈥 and to find gold. Spain developed colonies in Central and South America (the 'New World') and the gold they found there made Spain very rich.

Why did Elizabeth encourage exploration?

There were four main reasons for Elizabeth to encourage adventurers.

The acronym 'NEST' to help remember why Elizabeth encouraged exploration in the 15th Century

Naval power: As England is on an island, a powerful navy would be a good defence

Empire: Spain's wealth from the New World meant that Elizabeth was keen for overseas territory.

Weakening Spain: Spain was a threat - Elizabeth feared they would get rid of her and replace her with a Catholic. Attacking Spain - and reducing its wealth - would reduce the threat.

Trade: In the 1550s, the cloth trade - England's main trade for centuries - collapsed. Merchants needed new markets for their goods, and new goods to sell. They wanted a sea route to India or China, so they didn't have to rely on overland merchants.

How successful were the adventurers?

Trade

Elizabethan adventurers made a huge difference to English trade. They discovered sea routes and opened up new markets - trading English produce for luxuries. Several new trading companies were formed:

The four main trading companies in the Elizabethan era
CompanyFoundedTraded withTraded
Muscovy Company1555RussiaFurs and timber
Eastland Company1581BalticTimber, tar, canvas
Levant Company1581Eastern MediterraneanDyes, dried fruit, wine, silk
East India Company1600India and the Far EastSilk, cotton, spices, tea
CompanyMuscovy Company
Founded1555
Traded withRussia
TradedFurs and timber
CompanyEastland Company
Founded1581
Traded withBaltic
TradedTimber, tar, canvas
CompanyLevant Company
Founded1581
Traded withEastern Mediterranean
TradedDyes, dried fruit, wine, silk
CompanyEast India Company
Founded1600
Traded withIndia and the Far East
TradedSilk, cotton, spices, tea

This growth in trade boosted the English economy and made merchants - and lots of people who invested in the trading companies - very rich.

Colonies

The English made several attempts to establish overseas colonies during Elizabeth's reign, but none of them were successful. One of the notable attempts was Roanoke.

Naval power

The English navy grew, and English ships got better. English sailors become much better at sailing - and fighting - at sea. This didn't just improve trade and exploration - it was vital in defeating the attack by the Spanish Armada in 1588.

By the end of Elizabeth's reign, England was the greatest sea-power in the world 鈥 and it stayed that way until the 20th century.

Weakening Spain

Several English adventurers, notably Sir Francis Drake, were devout Protestants, and loathed the Spanish because they were Catholic. They took every opportunity to steal from them and attack their colonies. For example:

  • 1572: Drake attacked Spanish ships loaded with silver from Peru and seized silver worth 拢20,000 - the equivalent of about 拢30 million today.
  • 1578鈥79: Drake launched successful attacks on Spanish settlements and ships in the New World, bringing back gold, silver, jewels and silk, making a huge profit.

Elizabeth was always very pleased by this, of course!