Ferdinand Magellan By Jaymee Kraus and Sarah Yoest 4magellan.jpg

Magellan Background Info: Magellan was born in Portugal in He was in the East India service as a young man. Later, he enlisted under the Spanish king. After this, he began his journey to the East Indies, which later provided proof that the Earth is round. content/uploads/2012/06/Ferdinand_Magellan1.jpg

Why? This voyage was to serve King Charles I of Spain. Magellan believed that there was a west route through or around South America. His goal was to find this route that would take him to the Spice Islands. King Charles wanted this way to be found because Portugal controlled the eastward route to the East Indies.

What route? Magellan wanted to sail from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean. He took this route because he believed that there was a passage through South America. This route would be very valuable to the Spanish. He found a strait that took him to the Pacific Ocean, which is now referred to as the Strait of Magellan. rg/J002678F/magellanma p.gif

How was he financed, and what did he take? Magellan acquired help from King Charles I. He had 5 vessels and 250 men. s/ships-of-ferdinand-magellan-rounding-tierra-del-fuego-to- circumnavigate-the-earth-1519-to-1521.jpg

Why is it important? It strengthened the claim to the Moluccas. It also confirmed that Earth is round. This expedition also showed that the oceans are connected. hics/nospin_1-lg.jpg

References "Ferdinand Magellan." Ferdinand Magellan. CC-BY-SA, n.d. Web. 03 May Ferdinand_Magellan.html Ferdinand_Magellan.html "Internet History Sourcebooks." Internet History Sourcebooks. Paul Halsall, June Web. 03 May "Magellan, Ferdinand," Microsoft® Encarta® Online Encyclopedia © Microsoft Corporation.