Sir Francis Drake & the Americas (Edexcel GCSE History)

How did Sir Francis Drake Affect England and Spain’s Relationship? - Summary

In the 16th century, European countries desired to explore more routes around the world. Improvements in sea navigation meant voyages from Europe could reach Russia, China and the Americas. Many European powers wanted to monopolise their influence in these countries. Some countries attempted to do this through exclusive trade deals with international powers. Other countries, like Spain, established foreign colonies in their vast empire. European countries wanted more territory as this would result in more subjects and wealth.

When Elizabeth became queen in 1558, England’s international influence was weak. The government was in debt and England had a low annual income from trade. Elizabeth desired an empire that rivalled Spain’s. Colonies provided access to valuable raw materials like tobacco and sugar. England could trade these with other countries to increase their economic and political power. England’s empire could spread Protestantism across the world. This would reduce the influence of the Spanish Empire and Catholicism.

Sir Francis Drake’s exploration and pillaging of the Americas weakened Spain’s influence in the region. In isolation, Drake’s actions would have been an annoyance to Philip II. Elizabeth’s public backing of Drake caused a fracture in Anglo-Spanish relations. Philip did not want England’s power and Protestantism to spread to the Americas, a region Spain dominated. Drake’s actions against Spain would become pivotal in the Spanish Armada in 1588.

Why was England Interested in the Americas?

• In the 16th century, England began to explore and trade across the world

  • England relied upon its sheep farming to produce wool. As a result, England’s main export was cloth

  • English merchants traded everywhere from the German states to India and Turkey

• The Americas became a key part of Spain’s empire

  • The Italian explorer Christopher Columbus discovered the Americas on a Spanish-sponsored voyage in 1492

  • By 1536, Spain controlled vast areas of Mexico, Peru, Chile and the Caribbean

• Spain disrupted English trade

  • England relied on trade with the Netherlands

    • English merchants arrived in Antwerp to distribute English cloth across Europe

  • The Netherlands became part of the Spanish empire. The Spanish restricted English ships from landing in the Netherlands. This limited England’s ability to trade across Europe

  • If an English merchant wanted to trade in the Americas, they had to gain a license from Spain. These were rarely given to English traders

• England remained interested in the Americas

  • Mexico and Peru possessed huge reserves of silver

  • The Caribbean contained crops like tobacco and sugar. These were extremely rare and valuable in European markets

  • England could limit Spain’s power in Europe if they disrupted Spain’s trade in the Americas

What was a Privateer?

• Privateering was increasingly popular in the 16th century

  • An increasing number of English merchants refused to apply to Spain for trading licences

  • The merchants traded illegally and attacked Spanish ships and ports

• Elizabeth endorsed the use of privateers to disrupt Spanish trade in the Americas

Who was Sir Francis Drake?

• Sir Francis Drake was an ideal privateer for Elizabeth

  • He was a Puritan, which meant he hated Catholics

  • He went to sea often as a child. He grew up to become an experienced sailor

• Drake’s first voyage was in 1566

  • Drake's cousin, John Hawkins, hired him. Hawkins made his money in the slave trade

  • Spanish ships attacked the fleet in 1568. Only two out of the six ships survived the attack. This formed Drake’s lifelong hatred of the Spanish

• Elizabeth became aware of Drake’s reputation as an explorer and pirate

  • Drake had made two successful voyages to the West Indies between 1570 and 1571

  • Elizabeth hired Drake as a privateer in 1572

Drake's Actions in the Americas

• From 1572 to 1580, Elizabeth sent Drake on numerous voyages to the Americas

• Drake’s voyage in 1578-80 was very successful for Elizabeth

  • In 1579, Drake captured the Spanish treasure ship Cacafuego off the coast of Ecuador. Cacafuego contained cargo worth £140,000

  • Drake plundered a vast amount from the ports in Chile and Peru

• As a reward, Elizabeth knighted Drake on his ship, the Golden Hind

What did Sir Francis Drake Discover?

• During Drake’s circumnavigation, he claimed a region of northern California for Elizabeth

  • In June 1579, Drake required an area to dock his fleet

  • He travelled northwest of Spain’s territory in the Americas

  • The colony became known as Nova Albion or New Albion. Drake chose this name because:

    • The area had white cliffs that reminded Drake of the English coastline

    • ‘Albion’ was an old word for Britain

• New Albion was important for Elizabethan England

  • It was England’s first attempt to create a colony in the Americas

  • It motivated other English explorers to travel to the Americas

  • Elizabeth wanted to expand her empire to challenge Spain’s domination of the Americas

The significance of Drake on Anglo-Spanish relations 

• Drake’s action in the Americas impacted England’s relationship with Spain

  • By 1577, events in the Spanish Netherlands had worsened England’s relationship with Spain

  • England feared that Spain would invade

Drake's Actions and the Impact on Relations with Spain