Sailors and Exploration

The age of the sailor

Under Elizabeth I, England became a nation of bold sailors. Better ships and navigation, the hope of trade and riches, and a fierce rivalry with Spain all pushed English seamen out across the oceans. Three men stand out. John Hawkins was an experienced commander whose voyages included the early slave trade. Francis Drake became the first Englishman to sail all the way around the world. Walter Raleigh tried to set up an English colony in the New World. This module covers their achievements and why exploration grew.

Exploration words

Learn these four words before you sort any voyage or sailor, because the exam expects you to use them precisely. Each one names an idea that comes up again and again when we describe what Elizabethan seamen actually did out on the oceans.

Three famous sailors

Each of the three key sailors is remembered for something different. Keep them straight before you sort the clues.

How to answer on the sailors

In the exam, tie each named sailor to the one achievement he is famous for, and do not muddle them. Be ready to explain WHY exploration grew, using concrete reasons such as better ships and navigation, the pull of trade and riches, and the rivalry with Spain. Name the person and the deed precisely, and give a reason rather than only listing who sailed where.

Match the sailor to the deed

Who sailed round the world?

Which sailor became the first Englishman to circumnavigate the globe?

• Francis Drake, in the Golden Hind.
• John Hawkins.
• Walter Raleigh.
• Queen Elizabeth herself.

Why did exploration grow?

Select the TWO reasons that English exploration grew under Elizabeth.

• Better ships and navigation
• The hope of trade and riches
• A wish to avoid all contact with Spain
• Because no maps or instruments existed yet

Count the ships lost

Drake set out on his voyage around the world with 5 ships, but only 1 of them completed the journey home. Subtract to find how many ships did not complete the voyage. What is the answer?

Order Drake voyage

Put the stages of Drake voyage around the world in order, earliest first.

• Drake sets sail from England with his ships
• He sails down and around the tip of South America
• He crosses the Pacific and sails on across the world
• He returns home to England, the voyage complete

Complete the story

Sailing all the way around the world is called _____, and the first Englishman to do it was Francis _____. Walter _____ tried to set up an English colony in the New World. John _____ was an early trader whose voyages included the slave trade.

Match the term to its meaning

Spot the true exploration facts

Tap the TWO statements that are true about Elizabethan sailors.

• Drake was the first Englishman to sail around the world
• Raleigh tried to found a colony in the New World
• Hawkins was the first to sail around the world
• Exploration grew for no reason at all

Name the sailor or term

Read each clue and choose the best answer.

• This sailor returned to England in 1580 having taken his ship all the way around the world. Who was he?
• This sailor sponsored voyages that tried to build the first English settlement across the Atlantic. Who was he?
• A student asks why so many English sailors set out on long voyages at this time. Which answer is strongest?

Explain sailors and exploration

Explain why exploration grew in Elizabethan England and describe the achievements of its most famous sailors.

• Explain two reasons why English exploration grew
• Explain what Francis Drake is famous for
• Explain what Walter Raleigh tried to do in the New World
• Explain the part John Hawkins played, including his role in trade
• Finish with a judgement on which achievement mattered most to England