On September 6, 1522, a ship named the “Victoria” sailed into a harbor in southern Spain. This ship, along with its 18 sailors, was all that remained of a fleet that had set out three years earlier. Despite the hardships, the “Victoria” achieved something incredible: it was the first ship to sail all the way around the world.
The story starts back in 1494, just two years after Columbus’s famous voyage for Spain. Columbus’s discovery led the Spanish rulers to ask the Pope to settle any land disputes with Portugal. The Pope drew an imaginary line on the map, giving Spain the right to claim lands west of the line and Portugal to the east. This agreement was called the Treaty of Tordesillas.
At that time, both Spain and Portugal were eager to find new trade routes to the Spice Islands, which are now part of Indonesia. Spices from these islands were extremely valuable, worth more than their weight in gold. Since Portugal controlled the eastern sea routes, Spain needed to find a way to sail west. A Portuguese sailor named Ferdinand Magellan believed there was a westward route to the Spice Islands. King Charles of Spain trusted him and gave him command of a fleet, along with five ships and about 260 men, including a young slave named Enrique and a Venetian adventurer named Antonio Pigafetta.
On September 20, 1519, Magellan’s fleet set sail, heading southwest. They reached what is now Brazil and explored the coastline, looking for a passage to connect the east and west. As the weather got worse, the crew grew unhappy with their Portuguese captain, leading to a mutiny that Magellan had to stop with strict measures.
Challenges continued when one of the ships, the “Santiago,” was wrecked in a storm, and another ship, the “San Antonio,” deserted the fleet. Still, Magellan pushed forward. On October 21, he found a waterway that took 27 days to navigate. This passage is now known as the Strait of Magellan, leading them into the Pacific Ocean.
The fleet was not ready for the vast Pacific Ocean. After 98 days at sea, many sailors suffered from scurvy and hunger. When they finally reached land, Enrique could communicate with the locals. As they sailed further west, they were welcomed by Rajah Humabon of Cebu. Magellan agreed to help the Rajah with a local conflict, but his overconfidence led to his death in battle.
Even after Magellan’s death, the voyage went on. Magellan’s will stated that Enrique should be freed, but the crew still needed an interpreter. Enrique might have plotted with the Rajah, resulting in the deaths of about 30 Spaniards at a feast. Enrique disappeared, and if he returned to Malacca, he might have been the first person to sail around the world.
The survivors burned one of their ships, the “Concepcion,” and continued their journey. They reached the Spice Islands in November 1521 and loaded their ships with valuable spices. However, they still had to return to Spain. The “Trinidad” sank after being captured by the Portuguese, but the “Victoria,” led by Juan Sebastián Elcano, one of the pardoned mutineers, continued west. Against all odds, the “Victoria” made it back to Spain with a cargo of cloves and cinnamon, enough to cover the expedition’s costs and make a profit.
Antonio Pigafetta, who was part of the crew, kept detailed records of the lands and people they encountered. His journal is why we know this story today. Magellan’s legacy lives on, with galaxies and space programs named after him. Elcano was celebrated in Spain, receiving honors and appearing on currency and stamps. Together, the survivors and those who lost their lives proved that sailing around the world was possible, achieving a feat once thought impossible.
Create a detailed map tracing Magellan’s route around the world. Use different colors to indicate key points such as the starting point, the Strait of Magellan, the Pacific crossing, and the return to Spain. Label each location with a brief description of what happened there. This will help you visualize the scale and challenges of the journey.
Imagine you are one of the sailors on the “Victoria.” Write a diary entry describing a day in your life during the voyage. Include details about the challenges faced, your feelings about the journey, and interactions with other crew members. This activity will help you empathize with the sailors’ experiences.
Participate in a class debate about whether Magellan should be considered a hero or a villain. Research his actions and their impact on the crew and indigenous peoples. This will encourage you to think critically about historical figures and their legacies.
Engage in a simulation of the spice trade. Each group will represent a different country involved in the trade. Negotiate with other groups to acquire spices and resources. This activity will help you understand the economic motivations behind the voyage.
Read excerpts from Antonio Pigafetta’s journal and discuss in groups the significance of his observations. Identify how his records contributed to our understanding of the voyage. This will highlight the importance of documentation in history.
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 earlier. Yet her voyage was considered a success, as the “Victoria” achieved something unprecedented: the first circumnavigation of the globe.
This story begins in 1494, two years after Columbus’s voyage on behalf of Spain. Columbus’s discovery prompted the Catholic Spanish rulers to turn to the Pope to resolve any claims by Portugal to the new lands. The Pope addressed this dispute by drawing an imaginary line on the world map, granting Spain the right to claim territories west of the divide and Portugal to the east. Spain and Portugal, the two major seafaring powers at the time, agreed to these terms in what became known as the Treaty of Tordesillas.
At that time, these nations were focused on trade routes to the Spice Islands in present-day Indonesia. The spices found there, used as seasonings, food preservatives, and more, were worth many times their weight in gold. However, due to Portugal’s control over eastern sea routes, Spain’s only viable option was to sail west. When a Portuguese defector named Ferdinand Magellan claimed that a westward route to the Spice Islands existed, King Charles appointed him captain of a Spanish armada and provided him with the necessary resources. Along with a share in the voyage’s profits, Magellan was granted five ships and about 260 men, including a young slave named Enrique and Antonio Pigafetta, a Venetian nobleman seeking adventure.
On September 20, 1519, the fleet set sail and headed southwest. After making landfall in what is now Brazil, they explored the coastline, searching for a passage linking east and west. As the weather worsened, resentment towards their Portuguese captain grew, leading to a mutiny that Magellan suppressed with harsh measures. However, his challenges were just beginning. During a reconnaissance mission, the “Santiago” was wrecked by a storm, and the captain of the “San Antonio” deserted the fleet. Undeterred, Magellan pressed on, and on October 21, he began exploring a navigable waterway. After 27 days, the three remaining ships emerged from what is now known as the Strait of Magellan into the Pacific Ocean.
The fleet was unprepared for the vastness of the new ocean. After 98 days at sea, many sailors succumbed to scurvy and famine. When they finally reached land again, Enrique was able to communicate with the natives. Sailing further west, Magellan was warmly received by Rajah Humabon of Cebu. When the ruler asked for help in subduing a rebellious chief, Magellan agreed, but his overconfidence and being outnumbered led to his demise in battle.
Despite Magellan’s death, the voyage continued. His will specified that Enrique should be freed, but the expedition still needed an interpreter. With his freedom at stake, Enrique is believed to have conspired with the Rajah to have about 30 Spaniards killed at a feast. Enrique was never heard from again, but if he returned to Malacca, he may have been the first person to circumnavigate the globe.
Meanwhile, the survivors burned the “Concepcion” and continued their journey. They reached the Spice Islands in November 1521 and loaded up on valuable cargo. However, they still needed to return to Spain. The “Trinidad” sank shortly after being captured by the Portuguese, but the “Victoria,” piloted by Juan Sebastián Elcano, one of the pardoned mutineers, continued west. Against all odds, the small vessel made it back to Spain with a full cargo of cloves and cinnamon, enough to cover the expedition’s costs and turn a profit.
Antonio Pigafetta, an obsessive chronicler, documented the lands and people they encountered and compiled the world’s first phrase book of native languages. His journal is the reason we can recount this story. Magellan’s legacy endures, with galaxies and space programs named after him. Elcano was also celebrated in Spain, receiving a coat of arms and appearing on currency and stamps. United by fate, the survivors and those who sacrificed their lives challenged conventional wisdom and completed a historic journey once thought impossible.
Magellan – A Portuguese explorer who led the first expedition to circumnavigate the globe. – Ferdinand Magellan’s expedition proved that the Earth is round by sailing around it.
Voyage – A long journey involving travel by sea or in space. – The voyage of Christopher Columbus in 1492 led to the discovery of the Americas by Europeans.
Spices – Aromatic substances used to flavor food, which were highly sought after during the Age of Exploration. – The search for spices like pepper and cinnamon drove many European explorers to find new trade routes.
Treaty – A formal agreement between two or more states in reference to peace, alliance, commerce, or other international relations. – The Treaty of Tordesillas divided the newly discovered lands outside Europe between Portugal and Spain.
Portugal – A country in Southern Europe, known for its explorers who played a significant role in the Age of Exploration. – Portugal was a leading maritime power in the 15th century, exploring the coasts of Africa and Asia.
Spain – A country in Southwestern Europe, known for its powerful empire during the Age of Exploration. – Spain sponsored Christopher Columbus’s 1492 voyage that led to the European discovery of the Americas.
Ocean – A large body of salt water that covers most of the Earth’s surface and surrounds its continents. – The Pacific Ocean was named by Ferdinand Magellan during his circumnavigation of the Earth.
Journey – An act of traveling from one place to another, especially when involving a considerable distance. – The journey of Marco Polo to Asia opened up new trade routes and cultural exchanges between Europe and the East.
Crew – A group of people who work on and operate a ship, aircraft, or train. – Magellan’s crew faced many hardships during their expedition, including storms and scurvy.
History – The study of past events, particularly in human affairs. – Understanding history helps us learn from past mistakes and successes to shape a better future.
