Magellan and the First Circumnavigation
Ferdinand Magellan set out in 1519 to find a western route to Asia, sailing around South America through the Strait of Magellan into the Pacific Ocean, as taught in Pengi Social Studies Grade 7, Chapter 10: The Early Modern World. Though Magellan was killed in the Philippines, one of his five ships returned to Spain in 1522 under Juan Sebastian Elcano, completing the first successful circumnavigation of the globe and proving the world was round.
Key Concepts
In 1519, Ferdinand Magellan set out to do what Columbus had not: find a western route to Asia. He sailed around South America through the stormy "Strait of Magellan" and into a calm ocean he named the Pacific .
The voyage was grueling; Magellan was killed in the Philippines. However, one of his five ships, commanded by Juan Sebastián Elcano, returned to Spain in 1522. This was the first successful Circumnavigation of the globe. It proved conclusively that the world was round and much larger than anyone had imagined.
Common Questions
Who was Ferdinand Magellan?
Ferdinand Magellan was a Portuguese explorer sailing for Spain who set out in 1519 to find a western route to Asia; he navigated around South America into the Pacific but was killed in the Philippines before completing the journey.
What was the first circumnavigation of the globe?
The first circumnavigation was the 1519-1522 voyage that started with Magellan and was completed by Juan Sebastian Elcano, when one of five ships returned to Spain having sailed all the way around the world.
How did Magellan name the Pacific Ocean?
Magellan named the ocean the Pacific (meaning peaceful) after sailing from the stormy Strait of Magellan into comparatively calm waters stretching toward Asia.
What did the circumnavigation prove?
The first successful circumnavigation conclusively proved that the world was round and revealed just how much larger the planet was than Europeans had previously imagined.
What was the Strait of Magellan?
The Strait of Magellan is a narrow, stormy sea route at the southern tip of South America (modern Chile) that Magellan navigated to reach the Pacific Ocean, named after him for this feat.