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.

Outlines

00:00

🧭 Magellan’s Ambitious Expedition to the Spice Islands

The first successful circumnavigation of the globe, known as the Magellan expedition, was initiated by the Portuguese navigator Ferdinand Magellan and completed by Juan Sebastian Elcano. The voyage was motivated by the fall of Constantinople in 1453, which disrupted key trade routes to the Orient. Spain and Portugal sought new maritime routes, and King Charles I of Spain funded Magellan's expedition to find a westward route to the Spice Islands. Magellan's fleet departed on August 10, 1519, aiming not to circumnavigate the globe but to reach the Spice Islands by defending Spanish interests. The crew faced many challenges, including food shortages and severe weather, yet pushed on toward their goal.

05:00

⚡ The Perils and Successes of the Pacific Crossing

During their arduous journey, Magellan's fleet encountered countless challenges, including severe weather and near mutiny. After months at sea, they finally sighted the coast of Rio de Janeiro and later found passage through what is now called the Strait of Magellan. The Pacific Ocean, calm and vast, offered another set of hardships as the crew suffered from starvation and scurvy. After arriving in the Philippines, Magellan was killed in a clash with local inhabitants on April 27, 1521. Despite this loss, the remaining crew, now led by Juan Sebastian Elcano, pressed on toward their original destination—the Spice Islands—where they loaded their ship with valuable cloves and spices.

🌍 The Completion of the First Circumnavigation

Elcano, now captain, made the critical decision to return to Spain by circumnavigating the globe, traveling westward via the Indian Ocean rather than retracing their path across the Pacific. The crew faced further struggles, including storms and the threat of capture by the Portuguese, but ultimately reached Spain on September 6, 1522. The spices they brought back more than covered the costs of the expedition. Elcano and his men had sailed over 70,000 kilometers and were hailed as pioneers, having proven the world’s roundness and completed the first voyage around the globe. Only 18 of the original 239 crew members survived the journey, making it a legendary maritime accomplishment.

Keywords

💡Ferdinand Magellan

Ferdinand Magellan was a Portuguese navigator who led the first expedition to circumnavigate the globe. Though he didn't complete the journey, as he died in the Philippines, his vision and leadership were crucial to this historical voyage. The video script highlights Magellan’s role in the expedition to find a new route to the Spice Islands and his efforts to defend Spanish interests.

💡Juan Sebastian Elcano

Juan Sebastian Elcano was the Spanish navigator who completed Magellan's expedition after Magellan's death. He took command of the remaining crew and ship, Victoria, and successfully returned to Spain via the Indian Ocean, thus completing the first circumnavigation of the globe. The video script emphasizes Elcano's decision to return via a different route, cementing his place in history.

💡Spice Islands

The Spice Islands, known today as the Maluku Islands in Indonesia, were the primary objective of Magellan's expedition. These islands were famous for their valuable spices, especially cloves, which were highly sought after in Europe. The script references the crew's journey to the Spice Islands, where they eventually obtained spices that financed the voyage.

💡Circumnavigation

Circumnavigation refers to sailing completely around the world. This concept is central to the video's theme, as Magellan's expedition marked the first successful circumnavigation of the globe, proving that the Earth was round. Despite initial goals of finding a new trade route, Elcano’s decision to return via the Indian Ocean completed the full circumnavigation.

💡Treaty of Tordesillas

The Treaty of Tordesillas was an agreement between Spain and Portugal in 1494, dividing the newly discovered lands outside Europe between them along a meridian. This treaty is relevant to the video because it established the geopolitical context in which Magellan’s voyage took place, as Spain and Portugal both sought dominance over maritime trade routes.

💡St. Elmo’s Fire

St. Elmo’s Fire is a weather phenomenon where a visible electric discharge occurs during thunderstorms. In the script, it is described as an intense light that the crew witnessed during a storm, which they interpreted as a divine sign. The phenomenon added to the crew's fear and uncertainty during their perilous journey.

💡Scurvy

Scurvy is a disease caused by a lack of vitamin C, and it was common among sailors during long sea voyages due to the scarcity of fresh fruits and vegetables. The video script describes how the crew suffered from scurvy during the three-month voyage across the Pacific, with many dying from starvation and this disease.

💡Rio de Janeiro

Rio de Janeiro was one of the first landfalls of Magellan’s fleet after departing from Spain. Located on the coast of present-day Brazil, this stop marked a significant moment in the voyage, as it provided the crew with their first sight of the American continent. The script mentions this location as a key waypoint before they continued southward.

💡Victoria

The Victoria was the only ship of Magellan’s original fleet to complete the entire circumnavigation. Under the command of Juan Sebastian Elcano, the Victoria returned to Spain with a valuable cargo of spices. The script frequently mentions the Victoria as a symbol of the success and endurance of the expedition, despite the many losses along the way.

💡Mutiny

Mutiny refers to the rebellion of the crew against their captain, which occurred during the winter in the Bay of San Julian. The script details how Magellan had to quash this mutiny with force, resulting in executions and punishments. This moment underscores the challenges of leadership and survival during the voyage.

Highlights

The first circumnavigation of the globe was undertaken by the Portuguese navigator Ferdinand Magellan, completed by Juan Sebastian Elcano.

The historical context of the voyage is linked to the fall of Constantinople in 1453, which closed important trade routes between the Western world and the Orient.

Spain and Portugal set out to find alternative maritime trade routes due to the loss of access to the Silk Road and Mediterranean trade.

Ferdinand Magellan proposed an expedition to reach the Spice Islands by sailing west, with financial backing from King Charles I of Spain.

The expedition was not originally intended to circumnavigate the globe but to find a new route to the Spice Islands.

On August 10, 1519, five ships carrying 239 men set sail from Spain, making their first stop at Sanlúcar de Barrameda.

The fleet encountered various hardships, including bad weather, dead calm seas, and a phenomenon known as St. Elmo's Fire, which terrified the crew.

They reached the coast of South America after nearly four months at sea, stopping in present-day Rio de Janeiro and wintering in the Bay of San Julián.

During the harsh winter, food shortages led to a mutiny, which Magellan suppressed, executing two leaders and abandoning others as punishment.

Two ships were lost—San Antonio returned to Spain, and Santiago was shipwrecked—while the remaining three continued through what is now called the Strait of Magellan.

The fleet crossed the Pacific Ocean, enduring starvation and scurvy, with the crew resorting to eating rats and leather.

Magellan was killed in the Philippines in a battle on April 27, 1521, leaving Elcano to command the expedition.

Juan Sebastian Elcano decided to return to Spain via the Indian Ocean, becoming the first to circumnavigate the globe.

Only 18 of the original 239 men returned to Spain aboard the Victoria on September 6, 1522, completing the first circumnavigation.

The Victoria's cargo of spices more than covered the cost of the expedition, making the journey a financial success despite the heavy losses.

Transcripts

melan elano first voyage around the

world the first circumnavigation of the

globe in history otherwise known as the

melan expedition was undertaken by the

Portuguese Navigator Ferdinand mcgillan

and completed by Juan Sebastian elano

aboard the

Victoria the historical context of the

voyage is linked to the fall of

Constantinople at the hands of the

Ottoman Empire in 4

53 an event that closed off important

trade routes between the Western world

and the Orient including the Silk Road

and the

Mediterranean Spain and Portugal

subsequently set out in search of

alternative Maritime trade routes the

Portuguese sought The Spice Islands

otherwise known as the maluku islands

scouring the coast of the African

continent as a result of these efforts

the Portuguese explorer Vasco de Gama

arrived in India in

1498 while the Portuguese were already

trading in spices the kingdom of Castile

continued to advance in America seeking

passage between the Atlantic and the new

SE the Pacific Ocean discovered by nun

de

bboa Navigator Ferdinand mcgillan

proposed an expedition to reach the

Spice Islands by setting sail to the

West to King Charles I of Spain who

would agree to finance The Voyage with

the aim of expanding his Dominion it was

not the expedition's aim to sail around

the world melan intended to find a new

route to The Spice Islands while

defending Spanish interests there

reinforced by the Treaty of Tores

[Music]

on the 10th of August 1519 five ships

carrying 239 men aboard cast off from CA

making their first stop in San Luca de

bareda and another in tenar to stalk up

on Provisions from where they would set

sail for their Adventure on the high

seas the Staples of their diet at Sea

were biscuits cake and wine they also

brought with them live animals such as

cows and

pigs the voyage in search of a passage

to the Pacific involved many dangers

given that the territory was previously

uncharted on setting sail the fleet

suffered various days of dead car the

crew began to despair as it was

impossible to make progress soon

afterwards a sudden spell of bad weather

incurred the resulting fear of shipwreck

the Voyages chronicler piga feta

documented how they bore witness to the

weather phenomenon St Elmo's Fire

an intense light glowing like a torch

from the ship's mast struck by Terror

They begged for mercy interpreting the

phenomenon as a divine

intervention nearly 4 months after their

departure they finally caught sight of

land on the American continent arriving

on the coasts of present day Rio de

Janeiro the fleet reached the river Rio

de La Plata traveling the length of the

coastline to the South they then decided

to spend the winter in the Bay of San

julan during which food supplies ran

short and they were forced to weather a

harsh 5mon

winter desperation led to a mutiny that

melan quashed with Force melan ordered

the arrest and execution of Gaspar de

casara and Luis De Mena taking the

decision to leave Juan dearta Hena and

the cleric Pedro Sanchez Deena behind as

punishment after the Rebellion the San

Antonio abandoned the Expedition and

returned to Spain the Santiago was

Shipwrecked after springing a leak in

the hull but the remaining ships the

concepion the Trinidad and the Victoria

managed to find passage from the

Atlantic to the Pacific now the straight

of McAllan on the 28th of November

1520 the risk of running a ground made

the voyage increasingly perilous yet the

remaining ships were saved and finally

reached what they would go on to call

the Pacific as by chance on that day the

waters were perfectly

[Music]

calm during the 3-month voyage across

the Pacific the remaining crew was

decimated by starvation and scurvy

resorting even to eating rats and

leather from the

rigging the fleet proceeded to reach

what is now the Philippines and in mtan

on the 27th of April 1521

mcelin would meet his end during a clash

with the Island's

inhabitants after many a setback as the

sole survivor of the Expedition the

Victoria would sail onwards to the

maluku islands the original aim of the

voyage there they loaded the ship's hold

with the much coveted spices primarily

clothes to be sold for a high price on

their return to

Spain the remaining crew elected Juan

Sebastian elano as captain for the

return for

it was at this crucial moment that elano

decided to return to Spain not via the

Pacific but via the Indian Ocean thus

conceiving the first circumnavigation of

the globe and proving once and for all

that the Earth was round fearing being

taken prisoner by the Portuguese they

maintained a significant distance from

the African Coast enduring starvation

and tempestuous

storms after a final untimely incident

with with the Portuguese in Cape verie

the Victoria dropped anchor in San Luca

de Bara Kad on the 6th of September

1522 from there she would be towed up

River to ca complete with her precious

cargo of spices amounting to more than

enough to cover the cost of the

Expedition and becoming the first vessel

in history to sail around the

world ju Sebastian elano and his men had

crossed the world's three major oceans

sailing some 70,000 km of the 239 men

who set sail from ceva only 18 returned

aboard the Victoria following this Grand

Adventure elano provided the emperor

with an eloquent summary of His

exploits and I pray that your majesty

also holds in the highest esteem all

that we have discovered on our Voyage

around the entire world setting sail to

the west and returning from the East

[Music]