How Magellan circumnavigated the globe - Ewandro Magalhaes

Summary

In 1522, the 'Victoria' completed the first circumnavigation of the globe, a historic journey fraught with mutiny, shipwrecks, and Magellan's death. The expedition began in 1519, driven by Spain's quest for a westward route to the lucrative Spice Islands. Despite setbacks, including Magellan's demise and the loss of ships, the surviving crew, led by Juan Sebastián Elcano, returned to Spain with a profitable cargo. The voyage's chronicler, Pigafetta, documented the journey, which defied conventional wisdom and left a lasting legacy.

Takeaways

• 🌐 The 'Victoria' completed the first circumnavigation of the globe in 1522, marking a significant achievement in maritime history.
• 👑 The Treaty of Tordesillas in 1494 divided the New World between Spain and Portugal, with Spain gaining the right to explore westward for new trade routes.
• 🌍 Spain sought a westward route to the Spice Islands due to Portugal's control over the eastern sea routes, which were highly lucrative for the spice trade.
• 🏴‍☠️ Ferdinand Magellan, a Portuguese defector, was granted command of a Spanish fleet to find a westward route to the Spice Islands, with the promise of a share in the profits.
• 📜 Magellan's fleet set sail in 1519 with five ships and about 260 men, including a young slave named Enrique and a Venetian nobleman, Antonio Pigafetta.
• 🛑 The fleet faced mutiny and harsh weather conditions, with Magellan suppressing the mutiny and the 'Santiago' being wrecked during the journey.
• 🚢 The 'San Antonio' abandoned the expedition, leaving Magellan with three ships to navigate through what is now known as the Strait of Magellan.
• 🌊 The Pacific Ocean proved to be vast and challenging, with the fleet losing many men to scurvy and famine before reaching land again.
• ⚔️ Magellan was killed in the Philippines while attempting to subdue a rebellious chief, leaving the expedition without its leader.
• 🗺️ After Magellan's death, the expedition continued under new leadership, eventually reaching the Spice Islands and acquiring a valuable cargo.
• 🔥 The 'Trinidad' was lost, and the 'Victoria', under Juan Sebastián Elcano, successfully returned to Spain, completing the historic circumnavigation.
• 📔 Antonio Pigafetta's detailed chronicles and the world's first phrase book of native languages provide a record of the journey and its encounters.

Q & A

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

The 'Victoria' achieved the first circumnavigation of the globe.

Why did the Catholic Spanish rulers turn to the Pope after Columbus's discovery in 1492?

They sought to preempt any claims by Portugal to the new lands discovered by Columbus.

What was the outcome of the dispute between Spain and Portugal regarding new territories?

The Pope drew an imaginary line on the world map, dividing the territories between Spain and Portugal, which was formalized in the Treaty of Tordesillas.

What were the main trade routes that Spain and Portugal were interested in, and why were they valuable?

They were interested in trade routes to the Spice Islands in today's Indonesia because the spices found there were worth many times their weight in gold.

Why did Spain decide to sail westward to reach the Spice Islands?

Due to Portugal's control over the eastern sea routes, sailing west was Spain's only viable option.

Who was Ferdinand Magellan, and what role did he play in the Spanish armada?

Ferdinand Magellan was a Portuguese defector who claimed a westward route to the Spice Islands existed. He was made captain of the Spanish armada and given resources for the voyage.

What were the names of the two notable crew members on Magellan's fleet?

The two notable crew members were Enrique, a young slave, and Antonio Pigafetta, a Venetian nobleman.

What was the outcome of the mutiny against Magellan's leadership?

Magellan crushed the mutiny with unspeakable cruelty, maintaining his leadership over the fleet.

How did the 'Victoria' return to Spain after Magellan's death?

The 'Victoria' continued west, piloted by Juan Sebastián Elcano, one of the pardoned mutineers, and made it back to Spain with a full cargo of cloves and cinnamon.

What is the significance of Antonio Pigafetta's journal?

Pigafetta's journal is significant because it chronicled the lands and people they encountered and compiled the world's first phrase book of native languages, allowing us to tell this story.

What legacy did Magellan and Elcano leave behind?

Magellan's legacy includes having galaxies and space programs named after him, while Elcano was celebrated in Spain with a coat of arms and his face on currency and stamps.

Outlines

00:00

🌏 First Circumnavigation of the Globe

The script narrates the historic voyage of the 'Victoria', which in 1522 completed the first circumnavigation of the globe, a feat that began with the departure of a fleet three years prior. The story is rooted in the 1494 Treaty of Tordesillas, which divided the New World between Spain and Portugal, and the subsequent Spanish quest for a westward route to the lucrative Spice Islands. Ferdinand Magellan, a Portuguese defector, led this expedition with five ships and a crew that included a young slave named Enrique and a Venetian nobleman, Antonio Pigafetta. The journey was fraught with challenges, including mutiny, harsh weather, and Magellan's death in the Philippines. Despite these setbacks, the expedition pressed on, with Juan Sebastián Elcano eventually piloting the 'Victoria' back to Spain, fulfilling the expedition's goal and securing a profitable return.

05:00

📚 Legacy of the First Global Voyagers

This paragraph delves into the legacy of Magellan's expedition and its impact on history. Antonio Pigafetta, an obsessive chronicler, documented the journey extensively, creating the world's first phrase book of native languages and providing a detailed account of the lands and people encountered. His journal serves as the primary source for recounting this story. Magellan's name has been immortalized in galaxies and space programs, while Elcano is celebrated in Spain with a coat of arms and his image on currency and stamps. The survivors and the many who lost their lives on this expedition defied conventional wisdom and accomplished what was once deemed impossible, leaving a lasting imprint on human history.

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. The name 'Victoria' is used to represent the achievement of this historic voyage in the script.

💡Circumnavigation

Circumnavigation refers to the act of traveling around an entire geographical circumference, in this case, the Earth. The script highlights the unprecedented nature of the first circumnavigation, which was the main goal of the expedition led by Magellan and ultimately achieved by the 'Victoria'.

💡Treaty of Tordesillas

The Treaty of Tordesillas was an agreement between Spain and Portugal that divided the New World between them along a meridian. It is mentioned in the script to illustrate the geopolitical context that led to Spain's westward exploration in search of a route to the Spice Islands.

💡Spice Islands

The Spice Islands, now part of Indonesia, were highly sought after for their valuable spices like cloves and cinnamon. The script describes these islands as the ultimate destination of the expedition, emphasizing their economic and strategic importance at the time.

💡Ferdinand Magellan

Ferdinand Magellan was a Portuguese explorer who proposed a westward route to the Spice Islands. The script details his role as the leader of the expedition, his challenges, and his ultimate fate, making him a central figure in the story of the first circumnavigation.

💡Mutiny

A mutiny refers to an open rebellion against authority, in this case, the captain of the fleet. The script recounts a mutiny that occurred during the expedition due to worsening conditions and resentment towards the Portuguese captain, Magellan.

💡Strait of Magellan

The Strait of Magellan is a navigable waterway in South America that the expedition discovered and traversed. 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, is the vast ocean that the expedition encountered after passing through the Strait of Magellan. The script emphasizes the unexpected size of the ocean and the challenges it presented to the fleet during their journey.

💡Scurvy

Scurvy is a disease caused by a deficiency of vitamin C, which was a common ailment among sailors on long sea voyages. The script mentions scurvy as one of the hardships that the crew faced during their prolonged time at sea without access to fresh food.

💡Juan Sebastián Elcano

Juan Sebastián Elcano was a Spanish sailor who took command of the 'Victoria' after Magellan's death. The script highlights his role in successfully completing the circumnavigation and returning to Spain with valuable cargo.

💡Antonio Pigafetta

Antonio Pigafetta was a Venetian nobleman who joined the expedition for adventure and became an obsessive chronicler of the journey. His journal, as mentioned in the script, provides the historical record that allows us to understand the voyage and its significance.

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 world claims between Spain and Portugal.

Spain sought westward trade routes to the Spice Islands, rich in valuable spices.

Ferdinand Magellan, a Portuguese defector, was granted command of a Spanish armada to find a westward route to the Spice Islands.

The fleet set sail on September 20, 1519, with five ships and about 260 men, including a young slave named Enrique.

Mutiny erupted among the crew due to resentment towards their Portuguese captain, which Magellan quelled with cruelty.

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

Magellan's fleet discovered the Strait of Magellan, connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.

The Pacific Ocean proved to be vast and treacherous, with many sailors dying from scurvy and famine.

Enrique, the young slave, was instrumental in communicating with the natives upon reaching land.

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

Enrique's suspected betrayal led to the death of 30 Spaniards, and he was freed as per Magellan's will.

The expedition continued under Juan Sebastián Elcano, one of the pardoned mutineers, after Magellan's death.

The fleet reached the Spice Islands in November 1521, acquiring a valuable cargo of cloves and cinnamon.

The 'Trinidad' sank, and the 'Victoria', under Elcano, made the difficult journey back to Spain.

Antonio Pigafetta's detailed chronicles and the world's first phrase book of native languages provide historical records of the voyage.

The successful return to Spain with a profitable cargo validated the expedition's achievements.

Magellan and Elcano are celebrated for their roles in this historic journey, with lasting legacies in space programs and national recognition.

Transcripts

On September 6, 1522,

the "Victoria" sailed into harbor in southern Spain.

The battered vessel and its 18 sailors were all that remained

of a fleet that had departed three years before.

Yet her voyage was considered a success

for the "Victoria" had achieved something unprecedented:

the first circumnavigation of the globe.

But this story really begins in 1494,

two years after Columbus's voyage on behalf of Spain.

Columbus's discovery had prompted the Catholic Spanish rulers

to turn to the Pope to preempt any claims by Portugal to the new lands.

The Pope resolved this dispute by drawing an imaginary line on the world map.

Spain had the right to claim territories west of the divide,

and Portugal to the east.

Spain and Portugal, the two major seafaring super powers at the time,

agreed to these terms in what came to be called the Treaty of Tordesillas.

At the time, these nations had their eyes on the same prize:

trade routes to the Spice Islands in today's Indonesia.

The spices found there,

which were used as seasonings,

food preservatives,

and aphrodisiacs,

were worth many times their weight in gold.

But because of Portugal's control over eastern sea routes,

Spain's only viable option was to sail west.

So when a Portuguese defector named Ferdinand Magellan

claimed that a westward route to the Spice Islands existed,

King Charles made him captain of a Spanish armada,

and gave him all the resources he would need.

Along with a share in the voyage's profits,

he granted Magellan five ships and about 260 men.

The crew included a young slave named Enrique,

captured by Magellan on a previous journey to Malacca,

and Antonio Pigafetta,

a Venetian nobleman seeking adventure.

On September 20, 1519, the fleet weighed anchor

and headed southwest.

After making landfall in what is now Brazil,

it proceeded along the coast, exploring any water way leading inland.

They were looking for the fabled passage linking east and west.

As the weather worsened,

the Spaniards resentment at having a Portuguese captain escalated.

A full-blown mutiny soon erupted,

which Magellan crushed with unspeakable cruelty.

But his problems were only just beginning.

During a reconnaissance mission, the "Santiago" was wrecked by a storm.

Then while exploring a narrow waterway,

the captain of the "San Antonio" took the first opportunity to slip away

and sail back home.

Magellan pressed forward,

and on October 21, he started exploring a navigable sea way.

27 freezing days later,

the three remaining ships emerged from what we now call

the Strait of Magellan into the Mar Pacifico.

The fleet never expected the new ocean to be so vast.

After 98 days at sea, dozens of sailors had succumbed to scurvy and famine.

When they finally reached land again,

Enrique, the young slave, proved able to communicate with the natives.

Their goal couldn't be far.

Sailing further west, Magellan was warmly received by Rajah Humabon of Cebu.

So when the ruler asked him to help subdue

and convert the rebellious chief of Mactan,

the captain readily agreed.

The adventure would be his last.

Overconfident and severely outnumbered, Magellan's force was overwhelmed,

and the native's bamboo spears ended the captain's life.

Yet the voyage had to continue.

Magellan's will specified that Enrique should be freed,

but the expedition still needed an interpreter.

With his freedom at stake,

Enrique is believed to have plotted with the Rajah

to have about 30 of the Spaniards killed at a feast on the beach.

Enrique was never heard from again,

but if he ever made it back to Malacca,

he may have been the first person to actually circumnavigate the globe.

Meanwhile, the survivors burned the Concepcion

and proceeded onward.

They finally reached the Spice Islands in November of 1521

and loaded up on precious cargo.

But they still had to return to Spain.

The "Trinidad" sank shortly after being captured by the Portuguese.

The "Victoria" continued west, piloted by Juan Sebastián Elcano,

one of the pardoned mutineers.

Against all odds, the small vessel made it back to Spain

with a full cargo of cloves and cinnamon,

enough to cover the expedition and turn a profit.

An obsessive chronicler,

Pigafetta described the lands and people they encountered.

With the help of a humble slave,

he also compiled the world's first phrase book

of native languages.

His journal is the reason we can tell this story.

Magellan's legacy lingers.

He had galaxies and space programs named after him.

Elcano, too, was celebrated in Spain

with a coat of arms and his face on currency and stamps.

United by fate, the survivors

and the hundreds who sacrificed their lives

challenged conventional wisdom

and completed a historic journey once thought impossible.