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| b. The English in North America |
| 1. Exploration |
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| Following the voyages of the Cabots (See 1497, May 2–Aug. 6), the English showed little interest in the New World until the second half of the 16th century. | 1 |
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| 1562 |
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| John Hawkins, having taken a cargo of slaves in Africa, disposed of them in Espanola. The Spaniards made efforts to stop a second slave-trading voyage (1564–65), and on his third voyage (1567–68) Hawkins was driven by a storm into the harbor of Vera Cruz, where his fleet was largely destroyed. | 2 |
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| 1572–80 |
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| Francis Drake, nephew of Hawkins, carried out reprisals on Spanish commerce. Sailing in 1577, he became the first Englishman to circumnavigate the globe. | 3 |
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| 1576–78 |
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| After unsuccessful efforts by explorers of the Muscovy Company to find a northeast passage to China, English efforts were concentrated on the search for a northwest passage. Martin Frobisher sailed from England in June 1576, explored the Labrador coast, crossed Hudson Strait, coasted along Baffin Land, and entered the inlet known as Frobisher Bay. In 1577–78 he made a second voyage (See 1576). | 4 |
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| 1568 |
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| Sir Humphrey Gilbert took possession of Newfoundland in the name of Elizabeth but lost his life on the return voyage. | 5 |
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