How Magellan circumnavigated the globe - Ewandro Magalhaes

TED-Ed
30 Mar 201705:52
EducationalLearning
32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRIn 1522, the 'Victoria' completed the first circumnavigation of the globe, a journey that began in 1519 with Magellan's fleet. Facing mutiny, shipwrecks, and Magellan's death in the Philippines, the expedition persevered under Juan Sebastián Elcano's leadership. The voyage, driven by the quest for the Spice Islands' lucrative trade, defied the odds and reshaped the world's understanding, leaving a lasting legacy in history and exploration.

Takeaways
  • 🌐 The 'Victoria' completed the first circumnavigation of the globe in 1522, marking an unprecedented achievement in maritime history.
  • 👑 The Treaty of Tordesillas in 1494 allowed Spain to claim territories west of an imaginary line drawn by the Pope, setting the stage for Spain's westward exploration.
  • 🌊 Spain sought a westward route to the Spice Islands due to Portugal's control of the eastern sea routes, which were highly lucrative for their spices.
  • 🏴‍☠️ Ferdinand Magellan, a Portuguese defector, was given command of a Spanish fleet to find a westward route to the Spice Islands.
  • 🚢 Magellan's fleet consisted of five ships and about 260 men, including a young slave named Enrique and a Venetian nobleman, Antonio Pigafetta.
  • 🌪 The fleet faced numerous challenges, including a mutiny and the loss of ships due to storms and desertion.
  • 🛳 The Strait of Magellan was discovered, allowing passage from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean, but at the cost of significant crew losses.
  • 🏝️ After enduring a long Pacific crossing, the remaining fleet made landfall and interacted with indigenous peoples, with Enrique playing a crucial role in communication.
  • ⚔️ Magellan was killed in the Battle of Mactan while attempting to subdue a rebellious chief on behalf of a local ruler.
  • 🗺️ Despite Magellan's death, the voyage continued, with the 'Victoria' eventually returning to Spain under the command of Juan Sebastián Elcano.
  • 📚 Antonio Pigafetta's detailed chronicles and the creation of the world's first phrase book of native languages provide a historical record of the expedition.
Q & A

  • What significant event did the 'Victoria' achieve on September 6, 1522?

    -The 'Victoria' completed the first circumnavigation of the globe, arriving in southern Spain with only 18 sailors remaining from the original fleet.

  • Why did Spain and Portugal seek to resolve their territorial disputes through the Pope in 1494?

    -Spain and Portugal, both seafaring powers, wanted to secure their rights to newly discovered lands in the wake of Columbus's voyage, which led to the Treaty of Tordesillas and the division of territories.

  • What were the main reasons for the high value of spices from the Spice Islands?

    -The spices from the Spice Islands were used as seasonings, food preservatives, and aphrodisiacs, making them extremely valuable and worth many times their weight in gold.

  • Why was a westward route to the Spice Islands important for Spain?

    -Portugal controlled the eastern sea routes, making a westward route the only viable option for Spain to reach the valuable Spice Islands.

  • Who was Ferdinand Magellan, and what role did he play in the expedition?

    -Ferdinand Magellan was a Portuguese defector who claimed the existence of a westward route to the Spice Islands. He was made the captain of a Spanish armada and led the expedition that achieved the first circumnavigation of the globe.

  • What was the significance of the Strait of Magellan in the expedition?

    -The Strait of Magellan is a navigable sea way that the fleet used to pass from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean, marking a significant step in their circumnavigation.

  • How did the mutiny against Magellan affect the expedition?

    -The mutiny escalated due to worsening weather and resentment towards the Portuguese captain. Magellan suppressed it with cruelty, but it caused further complications for the expedition.

  • What was the role of Enrique, the young slave, during the expedition?

    -Enrique served as an interpreter, communicating with the natives, and was instrumental in the expedition's progress. He was also believed to have plotted against the Spaniards for his freedom.

  • Why was Magellan's death significant to the expedition?

    -Magellan's death was significant as he was the leader of the expedition. His death meant that the expedition had to continue under new leadership, with challenges and decisions that followed.

  • Who was Juan Sebastián Elcano, and what did he achieve by the end of the expedition?

    -Juan Sebastián Elcano was one of the pardoned mutineers who took over as the pilot of the 'Victoria'. He successfully navigated the ship back to Spain, completing the first circumnavigation and bringing back a profitable cargo.

  • What is the legacy of Magellan and Elcano, and how is it remembered today?

    -Magellan and Elcano are celebrated for their roles in the historic circumnavigation. Magellan has galaxies and space programs named after him, while Elcano is commemorated in Spain with a coat of arms and on currency and stamps.

Outlines
00:00
🌐 First Circumnavigation and the Spice Race

The first paragraph of the script details the historic achievement of the 'Victoria' completing the first circumnavigation of the globe in 1522, returning to Spain with only 18 sailors out of the original fleet. It sets the stage by going back to 1494, post-Columbus's discovery, and the Treaty of Tordesillas that divided the New World between Spain and Portugal. The main goal was to find a western route to the lucrative Spice Islands. Ferdinand Magellan, a Portuguese defector, was given command of a Spanish fleet to find this route. The journey was fraught with challenges, including mutiny, shipwrecks, and Magellan's death in the Philippines. Despite these setbacks, the expedition pressed on, with the 'Victoria' eventually returning to Spain with a profitable cargo of spices.

05:00
📚 Legacy of Magellan and Pigafetta's Chronicles

The second paragraph focuses on the legacy of the first circumnavigation and the contributions of Antonio Pigafetta, a Venetian nobleman who chronicled the journey. Pigafetta's journal, which included the world's first phrase book of native languages, is the primary source of the story. The paragraph also highlights the recognition of Magellan and Juan Sebastián Elcano, the latter being celebrated in Spain for his role in completing the voyage. The paragraph concludes by reflecting on the collective effort of the survivors and the sacrifices made, emphasizing their role in achieving a historic journey that was once deemed impossible.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡Victoria
The 'Victoria' was the lone ship that completed the first circumnavigation of the globe in 1522. It symbolizes the success of the expedition despite the loss of the rest of the fleet and the hardships faced. In the script, it is mentioned as the ship that returned to Spain with a full cargo of spices, marking the end of the historic journey.
💡Circumnavigation
Circumnavigation refers to the act of traveling around an entire geographic circumference, in this case, the Earth. The script highlights the unprecedented achievement of the 'Victoria' and its crew in being the first to circumnavigate the globe, which was a monumental feat in human history and a central theme of the video.
💡Treaty of Tordesillas
The Treaty of Tordesillas was an agreement between Spain and Portugal in 1494 that divided the New World between the two nations along a meridian. It is relevant to the video's theme as it set the stage for Spain's westward exploration in search of a route to the Spice Islands, leading to Magellan's expedition.
💡Spice Islands
The Spice Islands, now part of Indonesia, were highly sought after for their valuable spices like cloves and cinnamon. The desire to establish a trade route to these islands was a driving force behind Spain's exploration and the main objective of Magellan's voyage, as depicted in the script.
💡Ferdinand Magellan
Ferdinand Magellan was a Portuguese explorer who proposed a westward route to the Spice Islands to the Spanish king. He was made captain of the Spanish armada for this expedition and is central to the video's narrative as the leader of the first circumnavigation, despite his death during the journey.
💡Mutiny
Mutiny refers to a rebellion against authority, in this case, the rebellion against Magellan's leadership by his own crew due to harsh conditions and resentment. The script describes how Magellan crushed the mutiny, illustrating the challenges faced during the voyage.
💡Strait of Magellan
The Strait of Magellan is a navigable waterway in South America that the expedition discovered and traversed, connecting the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean. It is named after Ferdinand Magellan and is a critical part of the circumnavigation route described in the script.
💡Mar Pacifico
Mar Pacifico, or the Pacific Ocean, was encountered by the expedition after passing through the Strait of Magellan. The vastness of the Pacific was unexpected and posed significant challenges to the crew, as mentioned in the script, contributing to the overall theme of exploration and discovery.
💡Clove and Cinnamon
Cloves and cinnamon were among the precious spices that were the primary cargo of the 'Victoria' upon its return to Spain. These spices were the main objective of the expedition and represent the wealth and trade opportunities sought by the explorers, as detailed in the script.
💡Antonio Pigafetta
Antonio Pigafetta was a Venetian nobleman who joined the expedition in search of adventure. He is noted in the script for his chronicling of the voyage, which provides a detailed account of the journey and the creation of the world's first phrase book of native languages.
💡Juan Sebastián Elcano
Juan Sebastián Elcano was a pardoned mutineer who took over the command of the 'Victoria' after Magellan's death. His successful navigation of the ship back to Spain, as mentioned in the script, completed the first circumnavigation and secured his place in history.
Highlights

On September 6, 1522, the 'Victoria' completed the first circumnavigation of the globe.

The voyage began in 1494 with the Treaty of Tordesillas dividing new lands between Spain and Portugal.

Spain sought westward trade routes to the lucrative Spice Islands, controlled by Portugal in the east.

Ferdinand Magellan, a Portuguese defector, proposed a westward route to the Spice Islands and was made captain of a Spanish armada.

Magellan's fleet set sail on September 20, 1519, with five ships and about 260 men.

The fleet faced a mutiny, which Magellan brutally suppressed.

The 'Santiago' was wrecked in a storm, and the 'San Antonio' abandoned the expedition to return to Spain.

Magellan discovered the Strait of Magellan, linking the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.

The fleet faced extreme hardship during 98 days at sea in the Pacific, with many succumbing to scurvy and famine.

Enrique, a young slave, was able to communicate with the natives, bringing the fleet closer to its goal.

Magellan was killed in battle while attempting to subdue and convert the chief of Mactan.

Enrique may have been the first person to circumnavigate the globe if he returned to Malacca after the voyage.

The remaining ships reached the Spice Islands in November 1521 and loaded up on precious cargo.

The 'Trinidad' sank after being captured by the Portuguese, leaving the 'Victoria' to continue the journey under Juan Sebastián Elcano.

The 'Victoria' returned to Spain in 1522 with a full cargo, covering the expedition's costs and turning a profit.

Antonio Pigafetta's detailed journal provides the historical account of the voyage and the first phrase book of native languages.

Magellan and Elcano are celebrated for their roles in the historic journey, with lasting legacies in space programs and Spanish culture.

Transcripts

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Related Tags
CircumnavigationMagellanVictoriaSpice IslandsHistorical VoyageExplorationTrade RoutesTreaty of TordesillasSailing HistoryGlobal Expedition