A Spanish Empire Spain still needs to make money. How? America not seen as a money maker. More of an obstacle. Plan to go around it…pretty sneaky. Ferdinand Magellan

Magellan (1480-1521) Think of Columbus. Now think the exact opposite. Five great ships 270 professional sailors Very, very unlucky.

Magellan (cont.) Sets off the find a way around or through the Americas. Gets fooled several times by what look like rivers through S. America.

Magellan (cont.) Stops for winter in Patagonia. Some men want to return to Spain. Magellan executes them. Very rough winter.

Magellan (cont.) Spring finally comes around. Magellan sends one ship ahead and it sinks. Continues along coast eventually finds a passageway. Strait of Magellan ‘Strange Geese’

Magellan (cont.) Loses one more ship (actually left the group and returned to Spain). Reaches the Pacific Ocean.

Magellan (cont.) Loses another ship on way across Pacific. Misses almost every island with food and supplies. Lands at Guam (many small boats stolen). Land in Philippines (named for Philip II of Spain) and runs into a local war.

Magellan (cont.) Makes native leaders angry because he wants to convert them to Christianity. Hit with bamboo spear during battle, surrounded, and dies a gruesome death.

The Death of Magellan

Return to Spain (without Magellan) Lose another ship in battle with Portuguese. Three years, four ships, 232 lives. Still makes money.

Return (cont.) Proved going around/through the Americas was possible though a terrible idea. Proved the world’s oceans were all connected.