Ferdinand Magellan

A sixteenth-century seaman, trader, fighter, and explorer, Ferdinand

Magellan was captain of the fleet that took on the high-risk challenge

of circumnavigating the globe.

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In the 1500s, Spain and Portugal were global powerhouses and bitter rivals. Both nations
were experts at exploring and trading by sea, and at fighting over the riches they found.
It was an opportune time for a man like Ferdinand Magellan - an expert sailor and even
better fighter. He took part in many voyages and battles for his native Portugal, earning a
stellar reputation.
Magellan came up with a visionary plan to put his nation on top in the ongoing rivalry
with Spain: Instead of sailing all the way around Africa to get to the trading lands of
Asia, why not go the other way around the world?
Magellan thought if he could find a way past the new lands where Christopher Columbus
had landed in Central and South America, he could open up fresh trade routes. By doing
this, he imagined, he could make his country - and himself - rich!
But the king of Portugal had just signed a treaty giving him power over the standard trade
route around Africa. He wasn’t interested in a risky expedition into the unknown. Even
worse, Magellan’s enemies at court were spreading false stories, and the king stopped
trusting him.
There was one risky step that Magellan could take to keep his dream alive: he could go to
Spain. The Spanish suspected Magellan of being a spy. But the Spanish king was