Francis Drake, the eldest son of a farmer, was born near Tavistock in Devonshire, England. His father, Robert Drake, later became a preacher and raised his twelve children as Protestants. Growing up in poverty, Drake’s family, like many Protestants, was forced to leave their home after a Catholic uprising. This experience led young Drake to develop a strong dislike for Catholics, particularly those from Spain, the most powerful Catholic country in Europe.
Drake received some education and later learned the basics of navigation and seamanship, practicing his skills by sailing near his home. The Drakes were related to the Hawkins family of Plymouth, England, who were prosperous seamen and shipowners. This connection helped Drake secure a place on a 1566 slave-trading voyage to the Cape Verde Islands in Africa and the Spanish Main (the northern coast of South America).
Sir Francis Drake, a renowned English sea captain and privateer, played a significant role in the trans-Atlantic slave trade during the 16th century. While he is often celebrated for his circumnavigation of the globe and his victories against the Spanish Armada, it is important to acknowledge his involvement in the brutal and inhumane trade of enslaved Africans. Drake’s participation in the trans-Atlantic slave trade can be traced back to his cousin, John Hawkins, who was a prominent figure in the English slave trade. In 1562, Hawkins made his first voyage to the west coast of Africa, where he captured hundreds of Africans and transported them to the Spanish colonies in the Americas. This marked the beginning of England’s involvement in the trans-Atlantic slave trade, and Hawkins‘ success inspired other English seafarers, including Drake, to follow in his footsteps.
In 1567, Drake accompanied Hawkins on a slaving voyage to the Caribbean. The expedition was marred by violence and bloodshed, as they engaged in numerous conflicts with Spanish forces and forcibly captured hundreds of Africans to be sold as slaves. Despite facing significant opposition, including a failed attempt to establish a trade agreement with the Spanish, Drake and Hawkins continued their involvement in the slave trade. Drake’s ventures into the trans-Atlantic slave trade continued throughout the late 16th century. In 1572, he led an expedition to the Caribbean, where he raided Spanish settlements and captured enslaved Africans to be sold in the Americas. His ruthless tactics and willingness to engage in acts of piracy and plunder earned him a fearsome reputation among his contemporaries.
While Drake is primarily remembered for his exploits as a privateer and explorer, it is crucial to recognize the devastating impact of his involvement in the trans-Atlantic slave trade. The trade forcibly displaced millions of Africans from their homelands, subjected them to unimaginable suffering and exploitation, and perpetuated a system of racial oppression that continues to affect societies around the world.
In acknowledging Drake’s role in the trans-Atlantic slave trade, it is also important to confront the legacy of exploitation and injustice that continues to shape our world today. The trans-Atlantic slave trade had far-reaching consequences that continue to impact global economies, social structures, and cultural identities. By examining the actions of historical figures like Drake and Hawkins, we can gain a deeper understanding of the complex and interconnected history of the trans-Atlantic slave trade and its enduring impact on our world.
Sir Francis Drake’s involvement in the trans-Atlantic slave trade cannot be overlooked or understated. While his legacy is often celebrated for his achievements as an explorer and naval hero, it is essential to confront the uncomfortable truths of his participation in one of history’s most horrific chapters. By acknowledging this aspect of his legacy, we can strive to ensure that the experiences of those who suffered under the trans-Atlantic slave trade are never forgotten and that we continue to work towards a more just and equitable world for all.
In 1567, John Hawkins (1532–1595) appointed Drake as an officer on a larger slave trading expedition. Drake was eventually given command of one of Hawkins’s ships, the Judith, and joined his relative on a journey to Africa, Rio de la Hacha, and Santa Marta (a port on the northern coast of Colombia). However, the English were ambushed in the harbor of San Juan de Ulúa (an island near Veracruz in eastern Mexico) by a Spanish fleet that attacked without warning, destroying most of their ships. Only Drake’s Judith and Hawkins’s small vessel managed to escape back to England. Infuriated by this incident, Drake vowed to dedicate his life to waging war against Spain.
Drake’s trip around the world continued through the Indian Ocean and the Cape of Good Hope (the southern tip of Africa). Drake arrived in Plymouth in 1580, praised by the public and the queen. In April 1581 he was knighted on the deck of the Golden Hind. As relations between England and Spain grew even worse, Queen Elizabeth unleashed Drake on the Spaniards in 1585 and 1586. Drake captured several Spanish cities and inflicted great damage on Spanish morale. Now there was no avoiding formal war. Philip II (1527–1598) began assembling his Armada (a fleet of warships) in Portugal, which had been in his possession since 1580.
Queen Elizabeth appointed Lord Charles Howard of Effingham commander of her fleet and gave Drake, Hawkins, and Martin Frobisher supporting posts. Drake called for a strong blow at Philip’s unprepared Armada and received permission to strike. In April 1587 he recklessly sailed into Cadiz and destroyed or captured thirty-seven enemy ships. He then occupied the Portuguese town of Sagres for a time and finally, in the Azores (a group of islands in the North Atlantic), seized a large Portuguese carrack (ship) with a rich cargo bound homeward from Goa.
Drake met with his first major defeat in 1589 when he commanded the naval expedition sent to take Lisbon, Portugal. Drake did not go to sea again for five years. He concerned himself mainly with Plymouth matters. He sat in Parliament (England’s governing body), but nothing of the note marked his presence there.
In 1595 Queen Elizabeth thought she saw a chance of ending the war victoriously by cutting off the Spanish treasure supply from the Isthmus of Panama (a thin piece of land that connects North America to South America). For this, she selected Hawkins, then sixty-three, and Drake, in his fifties. The queen ordered that they must be back in six months, which was barely enough time to capture Panama. Hawkins soon died, leaving Drake in sole command. The Spaniards had strengthened their defenses, and Drake failed to capture the city. After failed expeditions to capture Nombre de Dios (a port on the northern coast of Panama) and then Panama, Drake cruised aimlessly to Honduras and back and then fell ill with fever and dysentery (infection of the intestines). He died off Puerto Bello on January 28, 1596, and was buried at sea.