Ferdinand Magellan Research Paper

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Ferdinand Magellan was an explorer who led the first expedition to circumnavigate the globe. From Spain he sailed around South America, discovering what is known today as the Strait of Magellan, and across the Pacific Ocean. Although he was killed in the Philippines, one of his ships, the Victoria, continued westward and back to Spain, where they left off originally. As a result, his group of explorers accomplished the first circumnavigation of the globe. Like with any other journey, his was filled with ups and downs; Magellan’s story is filled with discoveries and accomplishments, and with battles, storms, rebellion, and unfriendly native encounters.

Ferdinand Magellan was born in February 3, 1480 in Portugal. While the exact city is not …show more content…

Highly valued for flavoring, preserving food, as well as covering the taste of meat gone bad, spices like cinnamon, clove, nutmeg and especially black pepper, were exceptionally valuable. Since spices could not be cultivated in cold and arid Europe, everyone wanted to discover the quickest sea route to the Spice Islands (modern day Indonesia). Portugal and Spain led the competition for early control over these critical goods. Europeans had reached the Spice Islands by sailing east; none had yet to sail west from Europe to reach the other side of the globe. Magellan was determined to be the first to do so.
By now an experienced seaman, Magellan wanted to command a voyage to the Spice Islands. He believed he could reach them by sailing west. Magellan approached King Manuel of Portugal to seek his support for a westward voyage to the Spice Islands. He petitioned King Manuel I three times to let him go. However, accused of stealing while in Morocco, the Portuguese king refused each time. In 1517 a frustrated Magellan renounced his Portuguese nationality and relocated to Spain to seek royal support for his …show more content…

Only 18 years old at the time, King Charles I granted his support to Magellan, who promised the young king that his westward sea voyage would bring massive riches to Spain.

Magellan bade farewell to his wife and son on August 10, 1519. He was the commander of his fleet of 270 men, the Armada de Moluccas. He captained the ship Trinidad, accompanied by four other ships: the San Antonio, the Concepción, the Victoria and the Santiago. In September 1519 Magellan’s fleet sailed from Sanlúcar de Barrameda, Spain, and crossed the Atlantic Ocean, known to them simply as the Ocean Sea. The fleet reached South America a little more than one month later. There the ships sailed southward, traveling along the coast in search of the fabled strait that would allow passage through South

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