Why did the Elizabethans explore, and what did voyages such as Drake's achieve?
Elizabethan exploration and the age of discovery: the reasons for exploration, the factors that made it possible, Drake's circumnavigation of the globe, and the first attempts to colonise Virginia under Raleigh.
A focused answer to Elizabethan exploration in Edexcel's Early Elizabethan England depth study, covering the reasons for and factors behind exploration, Drake's circumnavigation of the globe, and the attempts to colonise Virginia under Raleigh, with their significance.
Reviewed by: AI editorial process; not yet individually human-reviewed
Have a quick question? Jump to the Q&A page
Jump to a section
What this dot point is asking
This is part of Key Topic 3 (Elizabethan society in the age of exploration): why the Elizabethans explored, what made it possible, and the key voyages and colonies. You need the reasons and factors behind exploration, Drake's circumnavigation, and the Virginia colony under Raleigh, with their significance. Expect Describe two features, Explain why and 16-mark questions on this lively topic.
Why the Elizabethans explored
The factors that made exploration possible
Drake's circumnavigation, 1577 to 1580
The colonisation of Virginia
Try this
Q1. Who was the first Englishman to sail around the world, and when? [Knowledge recall]
- Cue. Francis Drake, between 1577 and 1580, in the Golden Hind.
Q2. Explain why exploration grew in Elizabethan England. [Short explanation]
- Cue. The search for trade and new markets, the lure of treasure, rivalry with Catholic Spain (with royal backing), and new technology (galleons, astrolabes and better maps) together drove and enabled the growth of exploration.
Exam-style practice questions
Practice questions written in the style of Pearson Edexcel exam questions on this dot point, with worked answer explainers. The year tag is the paper they imitate, not the source.
Edexcel 20194 marksDescribe two features of Drake's circumnavigation of the globe (1577 to 1580).Show worked answer →
The Paper 2 British depth study "Describe two features" question (4 marks). Reward two distinct features with detail.
Feature one. Drake sailed around the world between 1577 and 1580, the first Englishman to do so, raiding Spanish ships and ports along the way and returning with enormous treasure.
Feature two. The voyage was hugely profitable and popular. Drake brought back treasure worth a fortune, much of it shared with Elizabeth, who knighted him aboard his ship the Golden Hind.
Full marks. Two features, each with one detail. Two marks per feature.
Edexcel 202212 marksExplain why exploration developed in Elizabethan England. You may use the following in your answer: trade; new technology. You must also use information of your own.Show worked answer →
The Paper 2 British depth study "Explain why" question (12 marks) with two prompts plus your own knowledge. Reward at least three developed reasons.
Reason one (trade). Merchants wanted new markets and goods, and a share of the rich trade in spices, silver and other goods that Spain and Portugal dominated, so they funded voyages to find new routes.
Reason two (new technology). Better ships (galleons), improved navigation (astrolabes, more accurate maps and charts) and stronger guns made long ocean voyages possible and safer.
Reason three (own knowledge: wealth and rivalry with Spain). The lure of treasure (gold and silver) and the desire to challenge Catholic Spain encouraged privateering and exploration, with royal backing.
Top band. Use both prompts plus an own point, each developed and tied to why exploration grew.
Related dot points
- Elizabethan society and the problem of the poor: the social hierarchy, the causes of rising poverty and vagabondage, changing attitudes to the poor (the deserving and undeserving), and the Poor Laws.
A focused answer to Elizabethan society and poverty in Edexcel's Early Elizabethan England depth study, covering the social hierarchy, the causes of rising poverty and vagabondage, changing attitudes to the deserving and undeserving poor, and the development of the Poor Laws.
- Daily life and culture in Elizabethan England: education in the home, schools and universities, leisure activities and pastimes, the growth of the theatre, and the idea of an Elizabethan golden age.
A focused answer to Elizabethan daily life and culture in Edexcel's Early Elizabethan England depth study, covering education in the home, schools and universities, leisure and pastimes, the growth of the theatre, the great houses, and the debate over whether the reign was a golden age.
- The deterioration of Anglo-Spanish relations to 1588: commercial and political rivalry, English involvement in the Netherlands from 1585, the role of privateers such as Drake, the reasons for the Spanish Armada, and the reasons for its defeat.
A focused answer to the war with Spain in Edexcel's Early Elizabethan England depth study, covering the causes of the breakdown in Anglo-Spanish relations, English involvement in the Netherlands, privateers such as Drake, the reasons for the Spanish Armada of 1588, and the reasons for its defeat.
- The Catholic threat to Elizabeth from 1569 to 1588: the problem of Mary Queen of Scots, the Revolt of the Northern Earls, the Papal excommunication of 1570, the Catholic plots (Ridolfi, Throckmorton and Babington), and the execution of Mary in 1587.
A focused answer to the Catholic threat in Edexcel's Early Elizabethan England depth study, covering the problem of Mary Queen of Scots, the Revolt of the Northern Earls (1569), the Papal excommunication (1570), the Ridolfi, Throckmorton and Babington plots, and the execution of Mary in 1587.
- Planning and writing the 16-mark 'How far do you agree' essay across the Edexcel papers, building a balanced, well-supported argument and judgement, and earning the spelling, punctuation and grammar marks.
A focused answer to the Edexcel GCSE History 16-mark essay, explaining how to plan and write a balanced 'How far do you agree' answer with a clear argument and judgement, how to use evidence and stimulus points, and how to earn the SPaG marks.
Sources & how we know this
- Pearson Edexcel GCSE (9-1) History (1HI0) specification — Pearson Edexcel (2016)