MAGELLAN – ELCANO, 1st VOYAGE AROUND THE WORLD

Summary

The transcript details the historic first circumnavigation of the globe, known as the Magellan Expedition, initiated by Portuguese navigator Ferdinand Magellan and completed by Juan Sebastián Elcano aboard the ship Victoria. Set against the backdrop of the Ottoman Empire closing traditional trade routes, the voyage aimed to find new passages to the Spice Islands. The expedition faced numerous hardships, including storms, mutiny, starvation, and Magellan's death in the Philippines. Ultimately, Elcano led the surviving crew back to Spain, completing the first voyage around the world, proving the Earth’s roundness.

Takeaways

• 🌍 The first circumnavigation of the globe was undertaken by Ferdinand Magellan, with the expedition completed by Juan Sebastian Elcano aboard the Victoria.
• 🛑 The historical context of the voyage was the closure of trade routes between the Western world and the Orient following the fall of Constantinople in 1453.
• 🚢 Magellan's expedition was aimed at finding a westward route to the Spice Islands to expand Spain's influence and trade.
• 🌊 The fleet of five ships set sail on August 10, 1519, from Seville, Spain, encountering harsh weather and long periods of stagnation at sea.
• ⚡ The crew witnessed St. Elmo's Fire during a storm, which they interpreted as a divine intervention.
• 🗺️ After months at sea, the expedition reached South America and spent a harsh winter in San Julián Bay, where a mutiny occurred, but Magellan suppressed it.
• ⛵ The fleet lost two ships due to desertion and shipwreck but managed to find the passage to the Pacific Ocean, now called the Strait of Magellan.
• 🦠 The journey across the Pacific led to severe starvation and scurvy, with the crew resorting to eating rats and leather.
• ⚔️ Magellan was killed in the Philippines during a battle with local inhabitants on April 27, 1521.
• 🏴 Juan Sebastian Elcano led the remaining crew back to Spain, completing the first circumnavigation of the Earth, proving it was round.

Q & A

Who were the main figures involved in the first circumnavigation of the world?

The main figures were Ferdinand Magellan, who initiated the voyage, and Juan Sebastian Elcano, who completed it after Magellan's death.

What historical event influenced the search for new trade routes, and how did it affect European exploration?

The fall of Constantinople in 1453 at the hands of the Ottoman Empire closed important trade routes between Europe and the Orient, pushing Spain and Portugal to search for alternative maritime routes.

What was the initial goal of Ferdinand Magellan's expedition?

The initial goal was to find a new maritime route to the Spice Islands (Maluku Islands) by sailing west, not to circumnavigate the globe.

What were the provisions and diet of the crew during the voyage?

The crew's diet included biscuits, cake, wine, and live animals like cows and pigs. However, as food supplies ran short, they faced starvation.

What challenges did Magellan's fleet encounter during the voyage?

The fleet faced many challenges, including dead calms, harsh weather, potential shipwrecks, starvation, scurvy, and a mutiny.

What was the significance of the phenomenon known as 'St. Elmo’s Fire' during the voyage?

St. Elmo’s Fire, a weather phenomenon where intense light appeared on the ship's mast, was interpreted by the crew as a divine intervention, filling them with both terror and awe.

What caused the mutiny during the winter at San Julian, and how did Magellan handle it?

Desperation due to harsh conditions and food shortages during the winter led to a mutiny. Magellan quashed the rebellion with force, executing the leaders and abandoning some mutineers.

What was the outcome of the voyage for Magellan and the crew after crossing the Pacific Ocean?

After crossing the Pacific Ocean, the crew was decimated by starvation and scurvy. Magellan was killed in the Philippines, but the remaining crew, led by Elcano, continued the journey.

Why is Juan Sebastian Elcano credited with completing the first circumnavigation of the globe?

Elcano took command after Magellan’s death and made the crucial decision to return to Spain via the Indian Ocean, successfully completing the first circumnavigation of the Earth.

How many crew members survived the entire voyage, and what did they bring back to Spain?

Of the 239 men who set sail, only 18 returned aboard the Victoria. They brought back a valuable cargo of spices, which more than covered the cost of the expedition.