John Hawkins and Sir Walter Raleigh

With athorisation from the Queen and accompained by his coisin Francis Drake, John Hawkins became England's first slave trader. He kinapped several hundred West Aficans whick he took to South America to be sold as slaves. Throughot Elizabeth's reign, England's involvement in the slave trade grew and many more slave traders, inspired by Hawkins, made a foutne. Demand grew for slaves to work the land in the Americas and produce material to be returned to England. Hawkins is believed to be responsible for introducing tobacco to England.

In 1584, Elizabeth gave Raleigh permission to explore, colonise and rule any land that was not already ruled by a Christian. In return he had to give the Queen one fifth of all thr gold and silver that he found there. Raleigh was very loyal to the Queen. The aim was to increase England's influence and gain the country more wealth. Spain had become very rich and powerful by taking control of South America. Raleigh embaked on journeys to the New World-- the Americas--, famosly introducing the potato to England. He also funded an attempt to form the 1st English colony in North America in what is now the United States. After this, many English explorers becan to colonise different parts of the world.

By raiding Spansh ships and ports, English sailors like Francis Drake brought back riches to England. Sailors like John Hawkins made his fortune and added to country's wealth by trading in African slaves. However other countries like Spain and Portugal made huge amounts of money at this time by trading in spices and taking gold from South America. Despite this, England did build the foundations of the great trading empire it later became, with many of the trading companies estaablished under Elizabeth becoming very important in the next centry. E.g. the East India Company.

English naval powerr was a growing force under Elizabeth. This was partly due to the techology developed for explorers including faster and stronger ships and better navigation tools. It was clear that England could hold its own in any sea battle and was able to exert its influence over many weaker countries and even defeated the great Spanish Armada.

England failed in its first attemps to bulid a colony in America-- and other countries---mainly Spain--- beat England to take control of South America. English explorers and sttlers did persevere but a colony was not successful founded until the reign of James I just after Elizabeth's death.

• Riches to England
• Foundation of the great trading empire
• Defeater the great Spanish Armada
• Had its own sea battles
• Did perseve,english explores and settlers did preserve

KEY

WEALTH
POWER
TERRITORY

• Other countries made huge amounts of money at this time by trading spices
• Did not take control of South America
• Colony was not successfully found

KEY

WEALTH
TERRITORY