Ferdinand Magellan's Circumnavigation

Ferdinand Magellan and the First Circumnavigation of the Globe

• Main objective: Finding a westward route to the Spice Islands (Moluccas)
• Sponsored by: King Charles I of Spain
• Fleet: Armada de Molucca
• Start Date: September 20, 1519
• Departure Point: Seville, Spain
• Ships: Trinidad (flagship), San Antonio, Concepción, Victoria, Santiago
• Crew: Around 270 men
• Challenges: Mutiny at Port St.Julian, harsh conditions, and Portuguese spies
• Key Discovery: The Strait of Magellan, discovered on October 21, 1520
• First to Cross the Pacific: Magellan's fleet was the first European expedition to cross the Pacific Ocean.
• First European contact with the Philippines: 1521
• Death of Magellan: April 27, 1521, in the Battle of Mactan during a conflict against the chief of Mactan, Lapu-Lapu
• Completion of the Circumnavigation: The Victoria completed the journey in 1522, captained by Juan Sebastián Elcano.

Key Figures

• Ferdinand Magellan (1480–1521): Portuguese explorer leading a Spanish expedition, responsible for the first European expedition to reach the Philippines in 1521.
• Antonio Pigafetta (c. 1491–c. 1531): Italian chronicler and explorer, documented Magellan's expedition.
• Juan Sebastián Elcano (1486–1526): Spanish explorer, completed the circumnavigation after Magellan's death.

Route Highlights

• Canary Islands (1519): Fleet stopped here for supplies before crossing the Atlantic.
• South America (1519): Magellan's fleet reached the coast of South America after a lengthy transatlantic journey.
• Winter in Port St.Julian, Argentina (1520): Crew spent winter here, where Magellan suppressed a mutiny, and the Santiago was wrecked.
• Discovering the Strait of Magellan (1520): Passage between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, named after Magellan.
• Pacific Ocean Crossing (1520-1521): The fleet endured scurvy and starvation during this long crossing.
• Arrival in Guam (1521): Fleet landed in Guam, encountering the Chamorro people.

Philippines: Encounters and Alliances

• Meeting King Raia Colambu (March 29, 1521): Gift exchange, Magellan proposes a "casi casi" (brotherhood) to strengthen their alliance.
• Arrival in Cebu (April 1521): Fleet arrived with banners and cannons: initial alarm, Magellan's interpreter assured locals of friendliness.
• Diplomatic Relations with Cebu: Magellan aims for trade, not tribute. Blood pact with King Humabon strengthens alliance.
• Religious Conversion and Conflict (April 14, 1521): King Humabon and people baptised as Christians, marking the spread of Christianity in Cebu.
• Conflict with Lapu-Lapu: Lapu-Lapu refused Spanish rule. Magellan engaged in the Battle of Mactan on April 27, 1521, where he was killed.

Spain: Returning From the Circumnavigation

• Cape of Good Hope → Spain (Completion of Circumnavigation ): The Victoria, captained by Juan Sebastián Elcano, returned to Spain from the Cape of Good Hope in 1522.

Key Takeaways:

• Cultural Exchange: Magellan brought Christianity, European goods, and customs, while the crew learned about local resources, trade, and practices.
• Diplomacy: Magellan fostered alliances with local kings through gift exchanges, friendship pacts, and religious ceremonies.
• First Mass in the Philippines: Introduction of Christianity.
• Conflict: Resistance foreshadowed future opposition to Spanish colonization efforts.

Spanish Colonization of the Philippines

• Miguel Lopez de Legazpi (1502-1572): Led the Spanish expedition that successfully established permanent colonization of the Philippines in 1565.
• Major objective: Establishing Spanish rule and control over the islands.
• Key Events: Founding of settlements, defeating local rulers, and setting the stage for over 300 years of Spanish rule.

Comparison of Expeditions

• Magellan's Voyage (Exploration): Focused on exploration and finding a westward route to the Spice Islands. Introduced initial contact with the Philippines, but did not result in immediate colonization.
• Legazpi's Voyage (Colonization): Focused on establishing Spanish colonial rule over the Philippines. Successful in founding settlements, defeating local rulers.
• Both expeditions: Significant in shaping the history of the Philippines. Magellan opened the door for future Spanish ventures, and Legazpi completed the process of colonization.