What is the reason why he started the voyage Magellan
Answer (1)
Ferdinand Magellan began his historic voyage primarily to find a western sea route to the Spice Islands (the Moluccas). Here's a breakdown of the key reasons and motivations: * The Lure of Spices:In the 15th and 16th centuries, spices like nutmeg, cloves, and pepper were incredibly valuable in Europe. They were used for flavoring food, medicine, and preserving goods. The demand was high, and the existing eastern routes to the Spice Islands were controlled by Portugal, thanks to the Treaty of Tordesillas. * Spanish Rivalry with Portugal: Spain was eager to find its own route to the East to access these lucrative spices and challenge Portugal's dominance in the global trade. Christopher Columbus had attempted to find a western route, but instead, stumbled upon the Americas. Magellan proposed to King Charles I of Spain that the Spice Islands actually lay within the Spanish sphere of influence if one sailed west, thereby bypassing the Portuguese-controlled routes. * Personal Ambition and Disfavor in Portugal: Magellan was a Portuguese nobleman and experienced sailor, but he had fallen out of favor with King Manuel I of Portugal. After his proposals for a western voyage were repeatedly rejected by the Portuguese king, he offered his services to Spain, where his plan was embraced. He sought fame, fortune, and a chance to prove his navigational theories. * Confirmation of a Western Passage: Following Vasco Nuñez de Balboa's discovery of the Pacific Ocean after crossing the Isthmus of Panama, there was a strong belief that a strait or passage existed through the Americas. Magellan was convinced he could find this passage and reach the Spice Islands by sailing west.Ultimately, Magellan's expedition, though he did not complete the circumnavigation himself (he died in the Philippines), successfully found a western route to the Spice Islands and provided the first conclusive evidence that the Earth was much larger than previously imagined and that it was indeed round.
